Kathmandu, Feb 5: A US military aircraft carrying 205 undocumented Indian immigrants landed at Guru Ravidas International Airport in Amritsar on Tuesday. This marks the first mass deportation of Indians under Donald Trump’s second term as US president.

The United States has intensified efforts to deport illegal immigrants, raising concerns among Nepali undocumented workers, as reports indicate that 1,365 Nepalis are also set to be deported under the new immigration policy. Documents from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reveal the planned removal of Nepali migrants, although no official timeline has been set.

Concerns Over Deportation

Indian security officials confirmed that the deported individuals had no criminal records and were being transported to their respective states. Some were escorted to villages in police vehicles, while others were sent by domestic flights.

Punjab’s NRI Affairs Minister, Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, personally received the deportees at Amritsar airport and criticized the US decision.

“These individuals contributed to the US economy and should have been granted permanent residency instead of being deported,” Dhaliwal said, adding that he would raise the issue with Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar.

Meanwhile, Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav assured that the state government is monitoring the situation and working closely with central agencies.

US Military Involvement in Deportations

This military-led deportation is unusual, as immigration enforcement is typically handled by the Department of Homeland Security. Reports suggest that the US military is now involved in deporting undocumented immigrants, particularly from detention centers near the US-Mexico border.

Previously, Guatemala, Peru, and Honduras saw deportations via military aircraft, with each flight costing approximately $4,700 per deportee.

Implications for Nepali Migrants

With 1,365 undocumented Nepalis listed for deportation, concerns are growing among Nepali communities in the US. If the military is used for their removal, it may indicate a harsher crackdown on undocumented workers in the coming months.