Amritsar, Feb 5 (PTI) – A US military aircraft, carrying approximately 200 Indian nationals who entered the United States illegally, is expected to land at Shri Guru Ramdas Ji International Airport in Amritsar on Wednesday afternoon. The flight, initially scheduled to arrive earlier in the day, is reportedly a C-17 military plane, carrying 205 illegal immigrants from Punjab and neighboring states.
Details about the individuals on board remain scarce at this time. Punjab’s Director General of Police (DGP), Gaurav Yadav, confirmed that the state government would coordinate the reception of the immigrants at the airport, setting up counters to facilitate the process.
Punjab's NRI Affairs Minister, Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, expressed his disappointment over the US government’s decision to deport these individuals, many of whom have contributed significantly to the US economy. He suggested that instead of deportation, the immigrants should have been granted permanent residency. Dhaliwal explained that most of the deportees entered the US on work permits, but their visas expired, leaving them as undocumented immigrants.
The minister also announced plans to meet with India's External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, next week to discuss issues concerning Punjabis living in the United States. Furthermore, Dhaliwal urged residents of Punjab to avoid illegal immigration, stressing the importance of acquiring skills, education, and pursuing legal avenues for overseas opportunities.
Since the beginning of Donald Trump’s presidency last month, US law enforcement has intensified efforts to crack down on illegal immigration. Many people from Punjab, who had entered the US through risky, illegal routes or by spending large sums of money, now face deportation as part of this broader enforcement strategy.
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