Smita Mishra 
In a significant development, a US military aircraft carrying 205 deported Indian nationals landed at the Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport in Amritsar on Wednesday afternoon. The individuals, mostly from Punjab and neighboring states, were deported for allegedly entering the US through illegal means. This incident has raised concerns among the Indian diaspora community in the US and highlighted the need for awareness about the risks of illegal immigration.
Punjab NRI Affairs Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal expressed disappointment over the US government’s decision, stating that these individuals, who contributed to the US economy, should have been granted permanent residency instead of being deported. Dhaliwal emphasized that many Indians entered the US on work permits that later expired, making them illegal immigrants. He also pointed out that many of these individuals were lured by unscrupulous agents who promised them a better life in the US.
The Punjab government has set up counters at the airport to receive the deportees, with Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav overseeing the arrangements. Dhaliwal plans to meet External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar next week to discuss the concerns and interests of Punjabis living in the US. The state government has also announced plans to provide assistance to the deportees, including counseling and job placement services.
The development comes amid a crackdown on illegal immigrants by US law enforcement agencies, following Donald Trump’s assumption of office as the US President. Many individuals from Punjab, who entered the US through illegal means, are now facing deportation. Dhaliwal appealed to Punjabis not to travel abroad through illegal means, emphasizing the importance of acquiring skills and education to access opportunities worldwide.
According to reports, the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency has been conducting raids and arrests across the US, targeting individuals who have overstayed their visas or entered the country illegally. The agency has also set up a hotline for individuals to report suspected illegal immigrants.
The Indian government has taken steps to address the issue of illegal immigration, including the launch of a awareness campaign to educate individuals about the risks of illegal immigration. The government has also established a 24-hour helpline to assist Indians who are facing deportation or other immigration-related issues.
However, despite these efforts, the issue of illegal immigration remains a major concern for Indian nationals. Many individuals are still being lured by unscrupulous agents who promise them a better life in the US. The Indian government needs to do more to address this issue and provide support to individuals who are facing deportation.
In addition, the Indian government needs to work with the US government to find a solution to this issue. The US government needs to understand that many Indian nationals are being forced to enter the country illegally due to a lack of opportunities in India. The US government needs to provide more opportunities for Indian nationals to enter the country legally, such as through the H-1B visa program.
The H-1B visa program is a non-immigrant visa that allows US employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations. However, the program has been criticized for its limitations and the lengthy process involved in obtaining a visa. The US government needs to reform the H-1B visa program to make it more accessible to Indian nationals and to provide more opportunities for them to enter the country legally.
Furthermore, the Indian government needs to address the root causes of illegal immigration, such as poverty and lack of opportunities. The government needs to create more jobs and opportunities for its citizens, so that they are not forced to seek employment abroad through illegal means.
The deportation of 205 Indian nationals from the US is a growing concern for Indian nationals. The Indian government needs to do more to address this issue and provide support to individuals who are facing deportation. The US government also needs to work with the Indian government to find a solution to this issue and provide more opportunities for Indian nationals to enter the country legally.
