The second batch of undocumented Indian immigrants deported from the United States as part of the crackdown on illegal migration will be landing at Amritsar airport on Saturday, February 15. The 119 immigrants are returning to India a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with US president Donald Trump in the White House.
Out of them 67 are from Punjab, 33 from Haryana, eight from Gujarat, three from Uttar Pradesh, two each from Goa, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan , and one each from Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. A third plane carrying the deportees is also expected to land in India on Sunday, February 16.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, February 13, had said that India is willing to take back its nationals if they live illegally in the United States. "Those who stay in other countries illegally do not have any legal right to be there. As far as India and the US. are concerned, we have always said that those who are verified and are truly the citizens of India — if they live in the US. illegally, India is ready to take them back," PM Modi said, answering a query at the joint press conference with President Trump after their bilateral talks.
The United States of America (USA) has already deported 104 undocumented Indian immigrants on February 5. The crackdown is part of President Trump’s campaign promise of “the largest deportation programme of criminals”. The US president is known for racist rhetoric and conflating non-white immigrants with crime.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led Union government has been criticised by the opposition for not managing to contain the situation. “All eyes will be on the US aircraft which will land today in Amritsar bringing back illegal immigrants. Will the deportees be handcuffed and their legs tied with ropes? It is a test for Indian diplomacy,” Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram said. Chidambaram’s response comes after a video shared by the US Border Patrol showed migrants being handcuffed with their legs shackled.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has also criticised the Union government for ‘deliberately trying to defame Punjab by choosing Amritsar as the landing site for the flights.’