Jalandhar, Feb 5 (PTI) – The North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) has called on the Punjab government to create a dedicated rehabilitation fund to support young boys and girls being deported from the United States. The appeal comes in response to the growing number of Punjab-origin immigrants facing deportation due to immigration challenges.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, NAPA Executive Director Satnam Singh Chahal highlighted the severe social and economic difficulties that these returnees could encounter if left without support. He warned that failing to address this issue could worsen unemployment, mental health struggles, and even lead to increased involvement in criminal activities in the state.
Chahal's remarks come amidst reports that a US military aircraft carrying 205 illegal immigrants, primarily from Punjab and surrounding regions, is expected to land at Amritsar airport later in the day.
"Many of these young people leave their homes with aspirations of a better life, only to be deported after facing legal hurdles in the US. They return with broken hopes, financial burdens, and psychological scars," Chahal explained.
He emphasized that it is the government's duty to ensure that these individuals are properly rehabilitated and reintegrated into society. Chahal urged the Punjab government to allocate funds to launch skill development programs, offer employment opportunities, and provide mental health counseling to assist these returnees in rebuilding their lives.
Chahal also called for greater collaboration with organizations like NAPA to craft comprehensive strategies that effectively tackle this issue, stressing the importance of a collective effort to address the problem.
"This is not just an individual issue; it’s a societal one," Chahal stated. "If we do not take action now, the repercussions will be severe, not just for the youth, but for Punjab’s social stability and economy as a whole."
The rising number of deportations follows a crackdown on illegal immigration by US law enforcement agencies since the inauguration of President Donald Trump. Many immigrants from Punjab had previously entered the United States through unauthorized routes, spending large sums of money in the process. As a result, they are now facing deportation, leaving them vulnerable to economic and psychological hardships upon their return.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, NAPA Executive Director Satnam Singh Chahal highlighted the severe social and economic difficulties that these returnees could encounter if left without support. He warned that failing to address this issue could worsen unemployment, mental health struggles, and even lead to increased involvement in criminal activities in the state.
Chahal's remarks come amidst reports that a US military aircraft carrying 205 illegal immigrants, primarily from Punjab and surrounding regions, is expected to land at Amritsar airport later in the day.
"Many of these young people leave their homes with aspirations of a better life, only to be deported after facing legal hurdles in the US. They return with broken hopes, financial burdens, and psychological scars," Chahal explained.
He emphasized that it is the government's duty to ensure that these individuals are properly rehabilitated and reintegrated into society. Chahal urged the Punjab government to allocate funds to launch skill development programs, offer employment opportunities, and provide mental health counseling to assist these returnees in rebuilding their lives.
Chahal also called for greater collaboration with organizations like NAPA to craft comprehensive strategies that effectively tackle this issue, stressing the importance of a collective effort to address the problem.
"This is not just an individual issue; it’s a societal one," Chahal stated. "If we do not take action now, the repercussions will be severe, not just for the youth, but for Punjab’s social stability and economy as a whole."
The rising number of deportations follows a crackdown on illegal immigration by US law enforcement agencies since the inauguration of President Donald Trump. Many immigrants from Punjab had previously entered the United States through unauthorized routes, spending large sums of money in the process. As a result, they are now facing deportation, leaving them vulnerable to economic and psychological hardships upon their return.
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