Daijiworld Media Network- Amritsar

Amritsar, Feb 5: In a major deportation move, the United States has sent back 205 illegal Indian immigrants, most of whom hail from Punjab. These individuals had entered the US using unauthorized channels, commonly referred to as "donkey routes," spending significant amounts of money in pursuit of the American dream.

A US military aircraft, C-17, carrying the deportees is expected to land at the Shri Guru Ramdas Ji International Airport in Amritsar on Wednesday afternoon. The Punjab government has made necessary arrangements to receive them, with dedicated counters being set up at the airport.

Expressing concern over the deportation, Punjab NRI Affairs Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal stated that these individuals had contributed to the US economy and should have been granted permanent residency instead of being forced to return. He highlighted that many of them had initially entered the country legally on work permits, which later expired, rendering them undocumented immigrants.

Dhaliwal also announced his plan to meet External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar next week to discuss the challenges faced by Punjabis in the US. He urged people from the state to refrain from attempting illegal migration, emphasizing the risks and hardships associated with such routes.
The crackdown on illegal immigrants intensified during Donald Trump's tenure as US President, leading to increased deportations. This latest move underscores the continued strict enforcement of immigration laws by the US government.