388 Illegal Immigrants Deported Since Trump Became US President
Union Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh has revealed that nearly half of the Indians deported from the United States in recent months belonged to Punjab. Between February 20 and March 2, a total of 55 illegal immigrants were deported on five commercial flights from Panama, with 27 (49%) hailing from Punjab.
Breakdown of Deportees by State
According to Singh’s written response in the Lok Sabha to a query by Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal, the deportees were distributed as follows:
- Punjab – 27 (49%)
- Haryana – 22 (40%)
- Uttar Pradesh – 3 (5%)
- Gujarat – 2 (4%)
- Rajasthan – 1 (2%)
Since Donald Trump assumed office as US President, 388 Indians have been deported, including 333 on military aircraft. Out of this total, 153 (40%) were from Punjab.
Five Flights Brought Deportees in February-March
The five commercial flights landed in Delhi on February 20, 23, 27, 28, and March 2, carrying deportees in varying numbers.
- Feb 20 flight: 2 immigrants from Haryana, none from Punjab
- Feb 23 flight: 12 deportees, including 4 from Punjab
- Feb 27 flight: 11 deportees, including 8 from Punjab
- Feb 28 flight: 9 deportees, including 6 from Punjab
- March 2 flight: 21 deportees, including 9 from Punjab
333 Indians Deported Earlier on Military Aircraft
Before these flights, the US had deported 333 illegal immigrants on three military aircraft on February 5, 15, and 16. The distribution of these deportees was as follows:
- Punjab – 126 (38%)
- Haryana – 110 (33%)
- Others – Remaining deportees
Government Raises Concerns Over Treatment of Deportees
Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh stated that the Indian government has raised concerns with US authorities over the treatment of deportees, particularly the use of restraints during deportation. While US procedures allow for restraints, India sought assurances that no women or children were shackled on flights arriving on February 15 and 16. Singh confirmed that Indian agencies verified and recorded this after interviewing deportees upon arrival.
MPs Raise Questions Over Deportation Process
MPs Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Selvaganapathy TM questioned the government about several aspects of the deportation process, including:
- Why the US military aircraft were granted landing permission
- Selection of landing sites, particularly Amritsar
- Equitable media coverage of the issue
- Distribution of deportees across different states
- The overall treatment of deportees
The minister clarified that repatriation flight landing sites are determined based on operational convenience, airspace routes, and proximity to the deportees’ final destinations.
