A flight carrying 119 illegal Indian immigrants from the United States will land at Amritsar Airport on Saturday night (February 15, 2025). This is the second time Indian immigrants are being deported since Donald Trump took office as the US President last month. According to officials, the plane is expected to land at around 10 PM.
Majority of Deported Immigrants from Punjab and Haryana
Out of the 119 deported immigrants, around 100 people are from Punjab and Haryana. The breakdown is as follows:
- 67 from Punjab
- 33 from Haryana
- 8 from Gujarat
- 3 from Uttar Pradesh
- 2 each from Goa, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan
- 1 each from Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir
Sources revealed that among the deported individuals, there are four women and two minors, including a six-year-old girl. Most of the deported immigrants are between the ages of 18 and 30. Another third flight carrying 157 deported immigrants is expected to arrive on February 16.
Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann Raises Concerns
On February 5, the first deportation flight from the US landed in Amritsar, carrying 104 illegal immigrants from different Indian states. The Trump administration has been strict on illegal immigration and has started sending back undocumented immigrants to their home countries.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has strongly opposed the landing of another deportation flight in Amritsar. He accused the central government of targeting Punjab and trying to defame the state.
Speaking to journalists in Amritsar, Mann said:
“The BJP-led central government always discriminates against Punjab. They never miss a chance to defame the state.”
He also questioned the criteria for choosing Amritsar as the landing site. He demanded an explanation from the Central Government and the Ministry of External Affairs, asking:
“Why was Amritsar chosen instead of Delhi? Was this done intentionally to defame Punjab and Punjabis?”
BJP Responds, Criticizes AAP
The BJP responded to Mann’s accusations, blaming him for politicizing the issue. BJP leader Tarun Chugh attacked the AAP government, asking why so many young Punjabis were forced to migrate illegally.
Chugh said:
“Punjab’s people want to know why these young men had to leave? Who sent them through illegal routes? Who were the fraud agents that ruined their lives?”
He also pointed out that many young people had to sell their land and homes to migrate illegally. Instead of catching the real culprits, Chugh accused the AAP government of playing politics over the issue.
Growing Problem of Illegal Immigration
A large number of Indians, especially from Punjab, use illegal and dangerous routes (often called ‘Donkey Routes’) to enter the US. However, after stricter immigration policies, many of them are now facing deportation. The situation has created a debate in India over who is responsible—the youth who take risks, the agents who deceive them, or the government that fails to provide enough opportunities at home.