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Lasantha Wickramatunga’s Wife Nominated for Key Government Post

Editor February 6, 2025

The Sri Lankan government has nominated Sonali Samarasinghe, the widow of murdered journalist Lasantha Wickramatunga, for the...

Calls for Impeachment of the AG

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Calls for Impeachment of the AG

Editor February 6, 2025

Ahimsa Wickrematunge, the daughter of slain journalist Lasantha Wickrematunge, has formally requested Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya to...

Prof. Neelika Malavige Appointed as Future President of the ISID

Editor February 6, 2025

Professor Neelika Malavige, a distinguished Sri Lankan scientist, has been appointed as the future President of the...

Liz Hayes Departs Nine After 44 Years

Editor February 6, 2025

Veteran journalist Liz Hayes has announced her departure from Nine, ending an extraordinary 44-year career with the...

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, NDTV 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. Coordination Between US and India on Deportations 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’s Stance on Illegal Migration 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. Growing Crackdown on Illegal Indian Migration 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 due to lack of sufficient evidence. What’s Next? More Deportation Flights Expected 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.

US Deports Over 200 Indians via Military Aircraft – (Video)

Editor February 6, 2025

In a significant deportation operation, the United States has deported more than 200 Indian nationals using a...

In-Flight Thief Caught Red-Handed on SriLankan Airlines

Editor February 5, 2025

Colombo, February 3 – A passenger traveling in business class on SriLankan Airlines flight UL 226 from...

Warne-Murali Test Series – Changes to Sri Lanka’s Test Squad

Editor February 5, 2025

Sri Lanka Cricket has announced two major updates to the Sri Lankan team ahead of the second...

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Wednesday prohibiting transgender women and girls from competing in female sports. The measure, titled the “No Men in Women’s Sports Executive Order,” is the fourth executive order targeting transgender people that Trump has signed since taking office on January 20. Speaking from a podium at the White House, with dozens of women and girls standing behind him, Trump declared that the executive order was necessary to protect women’s sports from what he called radical leftist ideology. “The radical left has waged an all-out campaign to erase the very concept of biological sex and replace it with a militant transgender ideology,” Trump said. “With this executive order, the war on women’s sports is over.” Trump cited several examples of what he called “men claiming to be girls” stealing victories, including the widely debated case of Algerian female boxer Imane Khelif, who was barred from competing in the Paris Olympics over gender eligibility concerns. Trump, however, falsely claimed that Khelif was assigned male at birth, a claim that has been publicly refuted. What the Executive Order Does White House officials said in a press call on Wednesday morning that the executive order will implement two key policies to enforce the ban on transgender women in women’s sports. First, the order will reverse the Biden administration’s Title IX guidance, which previously required schools receiving federal funding to allow transgender students to compete in sports aligned with their gender identity. Under Trump’s executive order, students assigned male at birth will be barred from participating in girls’ and women’s sports. The Education Department will be responsible for investigating violations, and officials stated they would actively seek cases for review. The new rule will also restrict transgender women from using women’s restrooms and other gender-segregated facilities in schools. Second, the administration plans to work with sports governing bodies, including the International Olympic Committee (IOC), to enforce these policies in non-educational settings. The order also extends to visa policies, meaning that foreign athletes competing in women’s sports in the U.S. may have their gender identity reviewed as part of fraud prevention measures. “If you are coming into the country and claiming that you are a woman but are a male here to compete against women, we’re going to be reviewing that for fraud,” a White House official stated. The timing of the “No Men in Women’s Sports Executive Order” coincides with the 39th annual National Girls & Women in Sports Day, an event first established in 1987 to celebrate female athletes and inspire young girls to participate in sports. Political and Public Reaction The issue of transgender women in sports has been one of the most divisive topics in American politics, especially leading up to the November election. Trump repeatedly criticized the inclusion of trans athletes in women’s sports, referring to trans women as “men” and promising to ban their participation. A Gallup poll from May 2023 showed that nearly 70% of Americans believe transgender athletes should only compete on teams that correspond with their birth sex, a rise from 62% in 2021. According to the Movement Advancement Project, an LGBTQ think tank, 27 states already have laws, regulations, or policies banning transgender students from participating in sports consistent with their gender identity. Support and Opposition The executive order has drawn both praise and criticism from various groups. Schuyler Bailar, a former Harvard University swimmer and the first openly transgender athlete to compete in Division I men’s sports, condemned the order, calling it “absolutely devastating” and a direct attack on transgender rights. “This is a really horrible way to invite a lot of discrimination — not just against trans people but also against all people in the women’s category, because this is a policing of women’s bodies in sports,” Bailar, 28, said. On the other hand, Riley Gaines, a former college swimmer who has been a vocal opponent of trans women competing in women’s sports, praised the order. Gaines, who attended the signing ceremony, wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “Things could’ve been so different. Gender insanity was the final straw that brought a lot of moderates to the side of common sense. Specifically, I believe it was the issue of men in women’s sports. I’ve been living in a state of gratitude every day since Nov 5th. Praise God.” Several LGBTQ rights organizations have strongly opposed the executive order. Carl Charles, a senior attorney for Lambda Legal, called it "appalling and discriminatory." "We are appalled, and in fact disgusted, at this administration’s insatiable appetite for fearmongering about and relentless targeting of this most vulnerable population," Charles said. He added that many states with trans athlete bans are already facing lawsuits, and courts have blocked similar laws in Arizona, Idaho, Utah, and West Virginia. Trump’s Broader Policies Targeting Transgender People The sports ban is the fourth executive order Trump has signed targeting transgender people since his return to office. On Inauguration Day, Trump signed an order stating that the U.S. government would recognize only two sexes—male and female—and that these sexes “are not changeable.” He also signed an order reinstating a ban on transgender people serving openly in the U.S. military and restricting access to gender-affirming medical care for transgender individuals under 19 years old nationwide. Legal Challenges Expected Like many state-level bans on trans athletes, the executive order is expected to face legal challenges. Several federal courts have ruled against similar policies, and legal experts argue that the order may violate Title IX’s broader protections against sex-based discrimination. Despite the likelihood of legal battles, Trump has made it clear that he sees transgender issues as a key part of his political agenda. As the November election approaches, the debate over transgender rights—especially in sports, healthcare, and the military—is expected to remain at the center of national discourse.

Trump Signs Executive Order Banning Trans Women from Women’s Sports

Editor February 5, 2025

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Wednesday prohibiting transgender women and girls from competing in...

An Indian Motorcycle Company Boss Makes Decisions Above the President?

Editor February 5, 2025

National Freedom Front leader Wimal Weerawansa said that he is earnestly requesting the general public of this...

Football Club Named After Cristiano Ronaldo Launched for Children in A’pura

Editor February 5, 2025

The 40th birthday of world-famous football star Cristiano Ronaldo was celebrated in Anuradhapura, marking the occasion with...

Popular

Lasantha Wickramatunga’s Wife Nominated for Key Government Post

Calls for Impeachment of the AG

Prof. Neelika Malavige Appointed as Future President of the ISID

Liz Hayes Departs Nine After 44 Years

In-Flight Thief Caught Red-Handed on SriLankan Airlines

Warne-Murali Test Series – Changes to Sri Lanka’s Test Squad

Trump Signs Executive Order Banning Trans Women from Women’s Sports

An Indian Motorcycle Company Boss Makes Decisions Above the President?

Football Club Named After Cristiano Ronaldo Launched for Children in A’pura

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