AMRITSAR: On Wednesday, the United States deported 104 Indian nationals aboard a U.S. military transport aircraft, marking one of the most expensive deportations in U.S. history. The deportees, who had illegally entered the United States, were sent back to India on a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III, a massive military transport plane, that landed at the Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport in Amritsar in the afternoon.

Punjab’s Minister Kuldeep Dhaliwal met the deportees upon their arrival and many of them narrated their harrowing experience of pursuing the US dream.  Several of them have reportedly said that they have paid hefty fees to agents, some as much as Rs 1 crore for being able to enter the US through the US-Mexico border taken via the UK, but the US border forces apprehended them.  

After landing, the deportees were questioned by various government agencies, including the Punjab Police and central intelligence agencies, to check for any criminal records. Most of the deportees which included 25 women and 13 children came from Gujarat (about 35), Punjab (about 31), and Haryana (35, the largest group), with smaller numbers from Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh (both with 3 each). Deportees from Punjab and Haryana would be 

The use of military aircraft for deportations has been criticized due to its high cost and the inhumane treatment of the deportees. A civilian charter flight would have been significantly cheaper, but the Trump administration opted for the military aircraft to send a strong message against illegal immigration. This decision has sparked political uproar in India, with opposition leaders questioning the Central government's silence on the matter. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is set to make a statement in Parliament regarding the deportation.

The incident highlights the ongoing challenges and controversies surrounding immigration policies and the treatment of undocumented migrants. The deportees shared stories of the harrowing journey that they had during the process, including being handcuffed and shackled during the flight. Many spoke of how their American Dream was shattered and how they were betrayed by agents who promised them a new life in the U.S.

It is estimated that this deportation operation would have cost over $1 million much more than a civilian evacuation and is part of President Donald Trump’s ongoing aggressive immigration policy aimed at cracking down on illegal migration to the U.S.