TL;DR: Two flights carrying 119 Indian migrants deported from the US are set to land in Amritsar on February 15 and 16. This follows a previous deportation of 104 Indians earlier this month, which sparked significant controversy due to the treatment of the deportees. The Indian government has expressed concerns over the handling of these deportations.
In a significant development, two flights carrying 119 Indian migrants deported from the United States are scheduled to arrive at the Guru Ram Dass International Airport in Amritsar on February 15 and 16. This comes on the heels of a similar deportation earlier this month, where 104 Indian nationals were sent back from the US.
The upcoming flights are expected to land at 10:05 PM on both days. Among the deportees, 67 are from Punjab, 33 from Haryana, 8 from Gujarat, 3 from Uttar Pradesh, 2 each from Maharashtra, Goa, and Rajasthan, and one each from Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. Many of these individuals had entered the US through Mexico and other routes, with reports suggesting that some destroyed their passports upon illegal entry.
The earlier deportation on February 5 involved a US military aircraft transporting 104 illegal immigrants from various Indian states to Amritsar. Some deportees claimed they were handcuffed and shackled throughout the journey, leading to widespread outrage in India. Opposition leaders demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi address the issue with the US during his visit to Washington. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge alleged that the Indian migrants were treated "even worse than garbage."
In response to the outcry, the Indian government conveyed its concerns to Washington regarding the treatment of deportees. Additionally, police in Punjab and Haryana initiated crackdowns against dubious travel agents who charge exorbitant fees to facilitate illegal migration to the US.
These deportations are part of a broader crackdown by the US administration on illegal immigration. According to a Pew Research Center report, as of 2022, there were approximately 725,000 unauthorized Indian immigrants in the US, making them the third-largest group after Mexicans and Salvadorans.
The treatment of deported migrants has raised significant concerns about human rights and the responsibilities of both the sending and receiving countries. It underscores the need for a more humane approach to immigration enforcement and the importance of addressing the root causes of illegal migration.
MediaFx Opinion: The recent deportations highlight the harsh realities faced by migrants seeking better opportunities abroad. The treatment meted out to these individuals is a stark reminder of the systemic inequalities and injustices prevalent in global migration policies. It's imperative to view these issues through a lens that prioritizes human dignity and rights, advocating for policies that promote equality and justice for all, regardless of their socio-economic status.
