An American military aircraft carrying 104 deported Indians landed at Amritsar Airport on Wednesday. According to sources, the passengers included 33 individuals each from Haryana and Gujarat, 30 from Punjab, 3 each from Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, and 2 from Chandigarh. The group also included 19 women and 13 minors.
The US Air Force's C-17 Globemaster touched down at 1:55 PM. This deportation occurred just days before Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to meet US President Donald Trump.
At the airport, various government agencies, along with Punjab Police and intelligence departments, questioned the deportees to verify their criminal record statuses. By around 6:45 PM, formalities were completed, and Punjab residents were dispatched to their homes in police vehicles. Similarly, Haryana residents were taken to their homes by state police. Heavy barricading and a significant police presence marked the airport's perimeter. Earlier media reports speculated 205 were aboard the American military plane, but the actual count was 104.
A Deal to Enter America for 3 Million Rupees with an Agent
Jaspal Singh, a 36-year-old from Hardowal village in Punjab’s Gurdaspur district, shared that he was apprehended by US Border Patrol right after crossing the US-Mexico border. He expressed their confusion about the destination, initially thinking they were being relocated to another camp. It was later revealed by a police officer that they were being sent back to India. Handcuffs and leg shackles were removed only upon reaching Amritsar Airport. Jaspal shared that he had struck a deal with a travel agent to reach America for 30 lakh rupees. Despite requesting a legitimate visa, the agent deceived him.
Families Burdened by Debt, Call for Strict Action against Agents
Several families in Punjab reported undertaking significant loans to send their relatives to America, now struggling with repayments. The kinfolk demand strict actions from the government against the travel agents who illegally facilitated their US entry.
PM Modi Should Discuss this Issue with Trump
Punjab's Minister for NRI Affairs, Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, appealed to Prime Minister Modi to discuss this matter with his "friend" Trump. He recalled that Modi had previously campaigned for Trump during the 2019 US elections. It's crucial for PM Modi to address this deportation issue with President Trump.
