US deports 205 Indian nationals; First mass deportation flight lands in Amritsar today

A US military transport plane carrying 205 Indian nationals deported from the United States is set to land in Amritsar today. The deportees, mostly from Punjab, had entered the US illegally via "donkey routes" and other means, spending lakhs of rupees in the process.

This marks the first large-scale deportation of Indian nationals as part of President Donald Trump’s intensified crackdown on illegal immigration in his second term. The US government has been tightening its immigration policies, leading to an increased removal of undocumented migrants.

While there has been no official response from the Indian government on this development, the North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) has urged the Punjab government to set up a rehabilitation fund for the deported individuals. NAPA’s Executive Director, Satnam Singh Chahal, warned that without proper support, these individuals could face economic and psychological hardships, potentially leading to rising unemployment and social issues in the state.

Chahal called on the Punjab government to implement skill development programs, employment opportunities, and mental health counseling to help reintegrate the deportees into society. He also emphasized that the crisis requires urgent attention, as it impacts not only the affected individuals but also Punjab’s overall social and economic structure.

The deportation comes as India and the US work to finalize plans for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s potential visit to Washington on February 12-13.