US Deports 205 Indian Migrants On Military Aircraft Amid Trump’s Intensified Crackdown On Illegal Immigration

In a significant escalation of immigration enforcement, a United States military aircraft carrying 205 Indian nationals departed from San Antonio, Texas, as part of President Donald Trump’s strict stance against illegal immigration, reported The Indian Express.

The C-17 aircraft, which left around 3 am IST, marked the first batch of Indian migrants deported since Trump’s return to office.

A US embassy spokesperson in Delhi reiterated the administration’s unwavering commitment to curbing illegal migration, stating: “The United States is vigorously enforcing its border, tightening immigration laws, and removing illegal migrants. These actions send a clear message: illegal migration is not worth the risk.”

The deportations are part of Trump’s broader immigration crackdown, which includes military involvement in enforcement, additional troop deployment at the US-Mexico border, and the use of military facilities for migrant accommodation.

While special deportation flights have previously sent migrants to Guatemala, Peru, and Honduras, the Pentagon is now coordinating flights to deport over 5,000 migrants detained in El Paso, Texas, and San Diego, California.

The Indian government has stated its willingness to accept deported nationals upon verification. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, in his meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, conveyed India’s stance, asserting:

“Illegal immigration is often linked to other unlawful activities. It is neither desirable nor beneficial for our reputation. If any of our citizens are found to be in the US illegally, and we verify their citizenship, we are open to their lawful return to India.”

According to reports, around 20,000 Indian migrants are awaiting deportation, while an estimated 725,000 Indians reside illegally in the United States. Last year alone, approximately 1,100 Indians were deported via special flights.

Notably, military deportation flights are far costlier than those conducted by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Reuters reported that a recent flight to Guatemala cost approximately $4,675 per migrant.