Wed Feb 19 01:30:00 UTC 2025: ## Hundreds of Indians Deported from US, Sparking Political Row

**Amritsar, India –** A surge in deportations of undocumented Indian immigrants from the United States has sparked a political controversy in India. So far in 2025, 332 Indians have been deported, with the majority (38%) originating from Punjab, followed by Haryana (33%) and Gujarat (22%). All deportation flights this year have landed at Amritsar International Airport, prompting Punjab’s Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to accuse the central government of intentionally targeting his state. The central government counters that Amritsar is the nearest airport to US flight routes.

This latest wave of deportations, which has garnered attention due to reports of deportees being handcuffed and chained, is not a new phenomenon. Data reveals that 15,897 undocumented Indian immigrants have been deported from the US since 2009, with the highest numbers in 2019 (2,042) and 2020 (1,889). The number of Indians attempting illegal entry has also drastically increased in recent years, jumping from fewer than 1,500 a decade ago to over 90,000 in 2024.

Investigations suggest many immigrants are victims of fraudulent agents who charge exorbitant fees (₹20 lakh to ₹1.25 crore) for promises of better opportunities. Over 3,000 such agents have been identified, primarily in Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra. Thousands of complaints have been filed against these agents in the last four years.

Deportations follow perilous journeys, often involving the “donkey route” – traversing treacherous terrain and seas. Many immigrants utilize both the US-Mexico and US-Canada borders to illegally enter the country, with a recent increase noted at the northern border. In addition to illegal entry attempts, a significant number of Indians overstay their US visas each year.

The data presented comes from Lok Sabha replies and US Customs and Border Protection. The high number of deportations and the route taken by illegal immigrants highlight the ongoing challenges faced by those seeking opportunities abroad and underscore the complex issue of illegal immigration between India and the United States.

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