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The stage is set for the arrival of 205 Indian nationals deported by the United States as part of its ongoing crackdown on illegal immigration. A US military C-17 aircraft carrying these individuals is scheduled to land at Shri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport in Amritsar on Wednesday morning. As Punjab braces for this influx, authorities have ramped up preparations to verify the backgrounds of the deportees, with special attention on identifying those with criminal records.
With the crackdown initiated under the newly-elected US President Donald Trump, immigration enforcement has resulted in the expulsion of thousands of undocumented migrants. Among them are Indians who had entered the US illegally or were found violating immigration laws. However, Punjab’s concern lies beyond mere deportation — it is focused on ensuring that individuals with criminal backgrounds do not re-enter society unchecked.
Punjab Police, in coordination with the central agencies, has compiled a list of nearly 100 wanted criminals, 20 of whom are believed to be hiding in the US. These individuals are believed to have fled Punjab after committing crimes such as drug trafficking, organized gang violence, and terror-related activities. Case files and necessary documentation, including Red Corner Notices (RCNs), have been prepared for immediate action.
Senior officials have indicated that if any of the deported individuals have a criminal history linked to Punjab, they will be arrested on arrival. “There is a low probability that the flight would carry dangerous criminals wanted in Punjab, but ever since US President Donald Trump ordered a crackdown on illegal immigrants, we have been working on finalizing criminal files to facilitate deportation or extradition. If any of these wanted persons are among the deportees, they will be arrested immediately upon arrival,” a senior police official told The Pioneer.
Prominent names on Punjab Police’s radar include Anmol Bishnoi – brother of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and one of the prime accused in the Sidhu Moosewala murder case; along with Happy Passia, who has been linked to recent grenade attacks in Punjab. Other suspects include drug smuggler Sarwan Bhola and gangster Gopi Nawanshehria. These individuals, along with others, are believed to be orchestrating criminal activities in Punjab while residing abroad.
Background Checks and Detentions at Amritsar Airport
Amritsar Airport will serve as the first point of screening for the deportees. While immigration officials will verify their documents, Punjab Police will conduct thorough background checks. The entire process is expected to take a full day. “Every deportee’s history will be examined. If any individual is found to have a criminal background, immediate action will be taken,” a senior police official confirmed.
The process includes checking for pending criminal cases, history of illegal activities, and potential connections to organized crime. Authorities expect the verification process to be time-consuming, possibly taking an entire day. “Our priority is to ensure that no criminal elements slip through,” a senior official said.
While the Punjab Government has received no formal list of deportees from US authorities, it remains in close contact with the Union Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) to coordinate the deportation process.
US Crackdown
The deportation of these 205 individuals comes in the wake of a broader crackdown ordered by US President Donald Trump. With illegal immigration a major focus of the new administration, reports indicate that nearly 18,000 Indians are slated for deportation in the coming months.
White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt recently disclosed that US authorities had arrested 538 illegal immigrants, including one suspected terrorist and members of the notorious Train de Aragua gang. However, no official details were provided about the 205 Indians being deported.
Punjab sees this development as a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it offers an opportunity to bring back fugitives hiding in the US under the guise of illegal immigration. On the other, it raises concerns about the reintegration of thousands of youth who, after investing significant sums in their migration, are now being sent back empty-handed.
“For us, the US crackdown on illegal immigration is a breakthrough in our efforts to bring back fugitives hiding abroad. With Washington’s firm stance against harbouring criminals, we hope for swift action on long-pending extradition requests, including that of SFJ chief Gurpatwant Singh Pannu, who has all along been fueling illegal immigration and separatist activities in Punjab,” a senior police official maintained.
The Punjab Police believed that this deportation drive could accelerate the process of nabbing notorious gangsters operating from the US, curbing violence and crime in Punjab.
Govt’s Stance: Support and Rehabilitation
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has called for an urgent meeting with senior police officials to review the situation. The Government is expected to announce a detailed policy on rehabilitation and financial relief for returnees in the coming days. At the same time, the state’s NRI Affairs Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal has vowed to stand by the deported youth, recognizing their financial struggles upon return. He announced plans to raise the issue in the Cabinet meeting on February 10, urging the Chief Minister to work with banks on waiving interest on loans taken by migrants who spent lakhs in pursuit of an American dream that ended abruptly.
“These youth now face an uncertain future. Easing their financial burden will help them rebuild their lives with dignity,” he stated, emphasizing the government's commitment to their rehabilitation. Acknowledging the challenges faced by returning immigrants, Punjab NRI Affairs Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal emphasized the need for support and rehabilitation. “It is better for them to come back home rather than face jail in the US,” he said.
He revealed plans to engage banks in discussions about waiving interest on loans taken by deported youths to fund their US migration. “Many of them borrowed Rs 25-30 lakh to travel illegally. Now that they are returning, they will struggle to repay these loans. We will request banks to offer a moratorium on interest so they can first settle down,” he added.
The Punjab Government is also exploring measures to crack down on illegal immigration networks. “The deportees can provide crucial information about human traffickers and the ‘donkey routes’ used to smuggle them into the US,” said a police official.
Economic and Social Repercussions
The large-scale deportation of illegal immigrants, especially from Punjab, is expected to have significant social and economic consequences. Many of these individuals had invested heavily to migrate to the US through illegal routes. Now, they return to their homeland without jobs or a means to repay their debts. To address this issue, the Punjab government is contemplating financial relief measures, including a potential moratorium on loan interest payments for the deported youth. “These individuals need time to reintegrate into society, find employment, and repay their debts. We will engage with banks to explore viable solutions,” Dhaliwal assured.
The deportation also raises questions about the role of illegal travel agents who exploit vulnerable individuals by offering false promises of legal US residency. Punjab Police have indicated that deportees’ testimonies will be crucial in tracking down these fraudulent agents and cracking down on human trafficking networks.
Ready to Receive in “Friendly” Manner: DGP
Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav has directed the police officials to adopt a “friendly approach” while dealing with the deportees, ensuring that only those with criminal records are detained. “These individuals have already gone through hardship. We will verify their backgrounds, but our approach will be humane,” he said. He reiterated that Punjab Police is fully prepared to arrest criminals but will also focus on assisting returnees in adjusting to life back home. “This is a serious issue that affects thousands of families in Punjab. We need to ensure that these youth are rehabilitated properly,” he added.