Washington: The first U.S. military aircraft carrying illegal Indian immigrants has taken off, marking a significant development in the Trump administration's aggressive stance on illegal immigration. This flight, carrying 205 individuals who had entered the United States unlawfully, departed from San Antonio, Texas, early on February 4 and is bound for India. However, the plane will not land in Delhi or the surrounding NCR region as initially expected. Instead, it is scheduled to land in Amritsar, Punjab, in the morning hours of February 5. This move is said to be a strategic decision taken at the highest levels of government, as most of the deported migrants are from Punjab or nearby states.
The deportation marks a shift in how the U.S. handles such removals. The U.S. government has already begun using military aircraft to facilitate deportations, a method that has been previously used to transport migrants from countries like Guatemala, Honduras, and Peru. The plane used in this deportation is a C-17 Globemaster, a heavy-duty military aircraft designed to transport troops and large cargo. It is equipped with seating for military personnel and even has a toilet onboard, making it suitable for long-duration flights. This marks the first time such an aircraft has been used specifically for the deportation of illegal immigrants. Before arriving in Amritsar, the aircraft is expected to make a refueling stop at the Ramstein Air Base in Germany.
The U.S. government's strict border policies, particularly under President Donald Trump, have led to a significant number of deportations. The President’s election campaign focused heavily on cracking down on illegal immigration, and since taking office, he declared a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border. The current deportation of Indian nationals is part of this broader effort, signaling the administration's intention to remove illegal migrants more aggressively.
Once the deportees arrive in India, they will be met by Indian authorities who will begin the process of verifying their identities and debriefing them. A primary concern for the authorities is to confirm whether the deportees originated from India or had been living in other countries before entering the U.S. Additionally, Indian authorities will seek to uncover the identities of any individuals or networks that facilitated the illegal crossings into the U.S.
The cost of these deportations has raised eyebrows due to the expense associated with using military aircraft. A recent report revealed that deporting migrants on military flights can cost upwards of $4,675 per individual. Deportation flights operated by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on commercial charters are estimated to cost about $8,577 per flight hour. However, the use of military transport like the C-17 Globemaster incurs a much higher operating cost. Estimates suggest that each hour of operation for this aircraft costs approximately $28,500. With this particular flight being one of the longest of its kind, the total cost for deporting 205 individuals on this mission is substantial.
In total, there are an estimated 725,000 undocumented Indian nationals in the United States, a number that may increase as more illegal immigrants are identified. The U.S. plans to deport thousands of illegal Indian migrants, with figures previously reported indicating around 18,000 individuals. This number may grow as efforts to tackle illegal immigration intensify.
India has cooperated with the U.S. in facilitating the return of its citizens who are in the U.S. illegally. The Indian government has consistently stated that it is willing to accept the "legitimate return" of its nationals who have overstayed or unlawfully entered foreign countries. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has emphasized that India is open to facilitating the return of its citizens if they are proven to be Indian nationals. However, India’s primary concern is that these deportations do not affect the lawful avenues for Indian citizens who wish to travel to the U.S. for legitimate purposes, including work and study.
As the U.S. continues to implement strict immigration policies, the international dynamics of deportation and border enforcement are likely to evolve, with the India-U.S. relationship playing a key role in managing the return of Indian nationals.
(With inputs from agencies)
