By A Staff Reporter
Amritsar: A US Air Force plane carrying 104 Indians deported from the United States landed at Sri Guru Ram Das Ji International Airport in Amritsar on Tuesday. The deportees, who allegedly attempted to migrate illegally to the US, were received by Indian officials upon arrival. Among them, approximately 30 are from Punjab.
Punjab NRI Affairs Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal addressed the media after the arrival, emphasizing the need for diplomatic intervention. "Modi ji calls Trump his friend. I request PM Modi ji to speak to Trump to find a solution to this issue," Dhaliwal said, referring to former US President Donald Trump, under whose administration stricter immigration policies were enforced.
The deported individuals, according to initial reports, are in good health and are undergoing the necessary procedures upon their return. While official details about their specific cases are yet to be disclosed, many deportations from the US involve cases of illegal entry, visa fraud, or asylum rejection.
Punjab, a state with a significant number of emigrants, has seen rising cases of illegal migration in recent years. Many individuals, in search of better economic opportunities, fall prey to human traffickers or use unauthorized routes to enter countries like the US and Canada. Experts suggest that the latest deportation underscores the urgent need for stronger measures to curb illegal migration and for legal pathways to be made more accessible.