United States to Deport Second Batch of 170-180 Illegal Immigrants Back to India

Washington/New Delhi: The United States is planning to repatriate another group of 170-180 illegal immigrants to India later this week. This follows an invitation extended to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Washington for level-headed talks with US President Donald Trump.

As per US administration officials, the deportees are people who entered the US illegally via routes that have popularly come to be known as “donkey routes.” Many of them had reportedly paid heavy amounts of money to get to the US and had been there for the last one to three years.

Although official word from Indian officials is yet to come, US officials have said that the deportation process has already begun. It is yet to be determined which Indian airport will be receiving the second group of deportees. The initial batch of deportees had earlier landed at the Shri Guru Ramdas Ji International Airport in Amritsar.

The US deported 104 Indian nationals last week, the biggest crackdown so far on illegal immigration. Out of them, 30 were from Punjab, 33 from Haryana, 33 from Gujarat, three from Maharashtra, three from Uttar Pradesh, and two from Chandigarh. The deportation was done on a US military C-17 aircraft.

Once they arrive in India, the deportees will be verified and screened. Law enforcement agencies are supposed to cross-check records to determine individuals with any criminal record before they are permitted to go back to their homes.

Indian nationals’ deportation comes at a time when diplomatic negotiations are underway between Prime Minister Modi and President Trump. Although discussions are likely to address a series of issues ranging from trade to security and bilateral cooperation, immigration policies have become contentious.

This recent move indicates the firmness of the US government against illegal immigration and its consistent drive to increase border security. Indian authorities are likely to keep the situation under close observation and ensure a seamless process of reintegration for the people coming back home.

As the situation unfolds, additional official responses from both Indian and US governments are likely about the details of the deportation and follow-up procedures.