104 Indians Deported from the US reach Amritsar, 30 from Punjab

Amritsar witnessed a grim homecoming as a US Air Force C-17 Globemaster aircraft landed at the Air Force base on Wednesday afternoon, carrying 104 deported Indian nationals under America’s tightened immigration policies. Among them, 30 belonged to Punjab, 33 each from Haryana and Gujarat, two from Chandigarh, while the rest hailed from Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra. The deported individuals included 79 men, 25 women, and 12 minors, some as young as four years old.

In a move that underscored the severity of their removal, most of the adults were reportedly ‘handcuffed’ — a sight that many described as “humiliating” and distressing. “I felt like a criminal,” said a 24-year-old from Gurdaspur, his voice breaking as he recounted his experience. “I had only gone to build a future for myself and my family. Instead, I was treated like a prisoner,” he said.

For many of these deportees, the return to India was fraught with embarrassment and emotional turmoil. Their deportation was not just a return — it was a return to debt, disgrace, and despair. Their families, who had sold land, taken hefty loans, or spent their life savings to fund their migration, are now staring at financial ruin. Their families had spent anywhere between Rs 30 lakh to Rs 60 lakh on illegal migration routes, hoping for a better future in the US.

Now, faced with shattered dreams and financial burdens, many were hesitant to contact their loved ones, fearing reproach and disappointment. Some even requested the officials to withhold information from their families, not ready to face the consequences of their “failed” migration attempts. “My father sold our farmland to send me abroad,” said 21-year-old Akashdeep Singh from Rajatal village in Amritsar, who had reached the US just a month ago before being detained and deported. “We had pinned all our hopes on this journey. Now, I don’t know how to face my family,” he said.

Akashdeep’s family had lost contact with him for over 15 days before receiving a call from the police station about his return. His father, who had taken a loan of Rs 60 lakh to send him abroad, now faces an uncertain future. “We had hoped he would find a good life there and help repay the debts. Now, we don’t know what to do,” he lamented.

Recognizing the gravity of the situation, the Punjab Government made special arrangements to facilitate their return. Punjab’s NRI Affairs Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal met the deportees at the Amritsar airbase, offering them assurance, support, and words of encouragement.

“Don't lose heart,” he told them. “Think of this as an experience. Life doesn’t end here. There are many opportunities ahead. Stay positive.”

Punjab Police also set up assistance counters at the airport, ensuring a smooth verification process. After clearance from immigration and customs, the deportees were handed over to the state police officials, who arranged transport for them to their respective hometowns. Those from Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh were sent by road, while others, particularly from Gujarat, were flown home. 

To ensure a dignified return, the Punjab Government arranged for food and medical aid at the airport. Children were given colouring books.

However, the psychological and financial wounds inflicted by this ordeal will take much longer to heal. Many of the deportees were reluctant to talk, their faces marked by exhaustion and sorrow. Some women broke down as they stepped onto their homeland, realizing the magnitude of what they had lost.

A Journey of Despair: Betrayed by Agents, Trapped in a Nightmare

Many of the deported individuals narrated harrowing experiences of their failed journey to the US. They had endured grueling treks through Latin America, faced brutal weather conditions, and risked their lives crossing perilous borders, only to be detained upon arrival. Several had spent months in US detention centers before being put on the deportation list. 

A senior Punjab government official, who met the deportees at the airport, revealed, “They are disappointed and dejected. Sharing their ordeal, they told us that many of them were caught at the border only and never even set foot in the US properly. They were misled by the agents who promised them safe passage. Many were even stranded in Mexico for months, surviving on minimal resources before being picked up by the US border patrol. Now, they are returning home penniless, depressed, and ashamed.”

“A few men told me that they had spent days in the cold, without food, hiding in forests near the US-Mexico border,” said another Punjab Government official who met the deportees at the airport.

A deported woman, Sukhjit Kaur, also shared her plight. “My father is still in Italy while I have been caught and sent back from the US,” she said.

Another young man, who had spent nearly four months trying to reach the US through dangerous jungle routes, described how he survived on scraps of food and even his mother’s homemade ‘panjiri’ (Punjabi sweet delicacy) that he had carried with him.

A common thread in many deportees’ stories was the role of travel agents and human smugglers who had promised them a bright future but instead led them to a nightmare. “I was assured that once I reached the US, I would get a work visa easily,” said a young man from Jalandhar. “The agent took Rs 35 lakh from my family. He kept saying everything was fine until I was caught at the border,” he said.

Most of the agents operated from Dubai, Canada, and Mexico, making it nearly impossible for families to trace or take action against them once the money had been paid.

Minister Dhaliwal has vowed to take strict action against these agents, urging families to come forward with information. “We will crack down on these illegal networks,” he said, adding, “People must be made aware that there is no easy way into the US. These agents exploit dreams and turn them into nightmares.”

A Call for Diplomatic Intervention

The mass deportation has also sparked a political debate, with Dhaliwal urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take up the matter with US President Donald Trump, who are scheduled to meet in the US on February 13. “PM Modi has called Trump his friend. If they are such close allies, why are our youth being sent back in such a humiliating manner? The Indian Government needs to address this. He must now step in and discuss this issue at an international level,” Dhaliwal stated. “Our youth are being deported in large numbers, and thousands more are at risk. We need a long-term solution.”

The use of a US military aircraft for deportation has also raised eyebrows. Experts estimate that sending the Globemaster to India cost the US Government nearly Rs six crore — an amount significantly higher than standard deportation methods. This underscored the urgency and determination of US authorities to crack down on illegal immigration. 

Punjab Grapples with Aftermath

For many deportees, returning home is only the beginning of another struggle. The social stigma attached to failed migration attempts can be severe, with many fearing ostracization in their communities. Families who spent fortunes on these journeys are now burdened with debt, with no immediate solution in sight. 

Understanding these challenges, the Punjab Government is working on rehabilitation efforts. Minister Dhaliwal announced plans to approach banks, requesting a moratorium on loan interest for those who had borrowed money to migrate. “These youth need time to settle down, find jobs, and rebuild their lives. They should not be crushed under financial pressure,” he stated. 

Punjab Police will soon be launching an investigation into the agents and human traffickers responsible for misleading these individuals. Authorities will also gather testimonies from the deportees to track down and dismantle the networks that orchestrate illegal immigration. “These people were victims of an organized racket. We need to crack down on these agents who exploit desperate youth,” a senior police official stated. 

The mass deportation serves as a stark warning to thousands of young Punjabis who dream of migrating to the US through illegal channels. Despite repeated crackdowns, the allure of better prospects abroad continues to drive many toward dangerous routes, often orchestrated by unscrupulous travel agents. 

31% of US Deportees from Punjab: AAP Minister Questions Centre's Choice of Amritsar for Landing

With 31 percent of 104 US deportees who landed at Amritsar from Punjab with remaining 69 percent from other states of the country, Punjab Cabinet Minister and Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) state unit president Aman Arora on Wednesday questioned the Centre's decision to land the deportee aircraft in Amritsar. 

“When deportees come from across the country, why was Amritsar selected as the landing site? This question is on everyone’s mind,” Arora said during a media interaction in Bathinda.

Accusing the Centre of treating Punjab unfairly, Arora emphasized the imbalance in the number of deportees. “With more people from other states than Punjab, the choice of Amritsar raises concerns. It seems like the Centre is once again giving Punjab step-motherly treatment…By leaving the national capital and choosing Amritsar for landing this aircraft, it raises a question mark,” Arora said.

The aircraft carried 104 Indians from Haryana, Gujarat, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Chandigarh. The highest number of deportees – 33 each – were from Gujarat and Haryana, followed by 30 from Punjab. Two deportees each are from Uttar Pradesh and Chandigarh, while three are from Maharashtra.

Among the 30 from Punjab maximum six are from Kapurthala; five from Amritsar; four each from Jalandhar and Patiala; two each from Hoshiarpur, Ludhiana and SBS Nagar; and one each from Gurdaspur, Tarn Taran, Sangrur, Mohali and Fatehgarh Sahib.

NAPA Urges Punjab Govt to Set Up Rehab Fund for US Deportees

The North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) on Wednesday urged the Punjab Government to establish a rehabilitation fund for youth deported from the United States, warning of severe social and economic consequences if the issue is ignored. 

NAPA executive director Satnam Singh Chahal emphasized that the lack of support for returnees could lead to unemployment, mental health struggles, and involvement in illegal activities. He called for skill development programs, employment opportunities, and mental health counseling to help deportees reintegrate into society. 

“These youth left home chasing a better future but returned with shattered dreams and financial distress. This is not just an individual crisis but a threat to Punjab’s economy and social fabric,” Chahal said, while urging the AAP Government to collaborate with NAPA and other organizations to formulate a comprehensive response.

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Punjab Deportee Breakdown