A recent military flight from the U.S. marks a controversial shift in how the Trump administration is handling unauthorized migrants, particularly those from India.
Migrants Deported on U.S. Military Aircraft: A New Era of Immigration Policy
Migrants Deported on U.S. Military Aircraft: A New Era of Immigration Policy
The first use of a U.S. military plane to deport migrants back to India raises concerns about immigration practices.
In an unprecedented move, a U.S. military plane, with at least 100 people aboard, landed in India on Wednesday. This flight signifies the longest deportation flight since President Trump's administration began, highlighting the increasingly strict immigration policies being enforced. Observers noted this was likely the first time an American military aircraft was utilized for returning migrants to India, which ranks as one of the leading sources of illegal immigration to the U.S.
In the past year, more than 1,000 Indians have been deported via commercial flights, with the number of illegal crossings steadily increasing. Government officials in India, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, have expressed readiness to accept deportees due to their favorable ties with the Trump administration, even as the policy has drawn sharp criticism domestically.
Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, a state minister in Punjab, voiced his objections to Trump's stringent immigration tactics, arguing that the Indian government should advocate for the rights of those deported. "What is their crime? They may have crossed borders illegally, but it was in pursuit of a better livelihood," he stated before the flight arrived. He indicated that he would be present to welcome the deportees, emphasizing the importance of treating them with dignity rather than as criminals.
According to the Pew Research Center, as of 2022, more than 700,000 undocumented Indian immigrants were residing in the U.S., trailing only those from Mexico and El Salvador. Reports from Indian media suggest that nearly 20,000 migrants are on track for upcoming deportations. The increasing number of Indian migrants attempting illegal crossings through both the southern and northern U.S. borders has raised significant attention and concern among experts and policymakers alike.
The broader implications of these developments suggest that countries with strong diplomatic relationships with the U.S. could also see their citizens impacted by new immigration strategies.
