In a significant deportation operation, the United States has deported more than 200 Indian nationals using a US C-17 military aircraft, marking what is expected to be the first of several such deportation flights, according to Indian media reports.
Citing government sources, media reported on Tuesday that each deported Indian national has been verified, suggesting active coordination between US and Indian authorities. While there has been no official statement from India’s Foreign Ministry, the deportation appears to be part of a broader effort to curb illegal migration, an issue that has been a key focus of US immigration policy under President Donald Trump.
The US has intensified its efforts to repatriate illegal immigrants, and this flight represents the latest step in a series of deportation actions. Since taking office, Trump has authorized multiple deportation flights, using US military aircraft to return unauthorized migrants from Guatemala, Honduras, and Ecuador. The deportation of Indian nationals follows this pattern, with expectations that more such repatriation flights will take place in the near future.
During past discussions on migration, Trump stated that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured him that India “will do what’s right” regarding the deportation of illegal Indian migrants. This statement indicates a cooperative approach between the two nations on handling immigration-related concerns.
India has maintained a firm stance against illegal migration, particularly as it is often linked to organized crime networks, including human trafficking and fraudulent visa rackets.
On January 31, Foreign Ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal stated that the Indian government remains committed to deterring illegal migration, while at the same time working to create more pathways for legal migration between India and the US.
“As part of India-US migration and mobility cooperation, both sides are engaged in a process to deter illegal migration while also creating more avenues for legal migration from India to the US,” Jaiswal said.
However, he emphasized that before any deportations are carried out, the Indian government must verify the nationality of the individuals involved. This process ensures that only Indian citizens are repatriated and that cases of mistaken identity are avoided.
The deportation of over 200 Indians reflects the growing number of Indian nationals attempting to enter the US illegally, often through high-risk routes. Many individuals reportedly travel through Central America, entering the US via Mexico’s border. Smuggling networks have increasingly targeted Indian migrants seeking better economic opportunities in the US, despite the risks of deportation.
Recent data shows that a rising number of Indian nationals have been detained at the US-Mexico border, attempting to cross illegally. In 2023 alone, over 40,000 Indian migrants were reportedly apprehended by US border authorities, making them one of the fastest-growing migrant groups in recent years.
Additionally, the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has increased its scrutiny of fraudulent asylum claims, leading to more deportations. Indian nationals often cite political persecution, caste-based discrimination, or religious intolerance in asylum claims, though US immigration authorities have rejected many of these applications duea to lack of sufficient evidence.
Given the scale of illegal Indian migration, officials expect more military deportation flights in the coming months. US immigration authorities have reportedly compiled lists of additional Indian nationals scheduled for deportation, pending verification by Indian authorities.
While the Indian government has not officially commented on this latest deportation, analysts believe that India will continue cooperating with the US in reducing unauthorized migration while simultaneously negotiating increased legal migration opportunities for skilled Indian workers.
The deportation underscores the broader shift in US immigration policy, particularly under Trump’s administration, which has prioritized the removal of undocumented immigrants. For Indian nationals living in the US without legal status, this signals an increasing risk of deportation, as the US continues to tighten its immigration enforcement measures.
