NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
New Delhi, February 4, 2025: A U.S. military aircraft carrying 205 deported Indian nationals departed from San Antonio, Texas, on Monday. The flight, a Boeing C-17, is expected to land in Amritsar, Punjab, on February 5.
This marks the first time Indian nationals have been deported from the United States using a military aircraft. The deportation is part of an intensified crackdown under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, which has increasingly utilized military resources for immigration enforcement.
According to reports, the United States has identified approximately 18,000 Indian nationals residing illegally within its borders. The deported individuals on this flight were among those who had either overstayed their visas or entered the country without proper documentation.
The use of a military aircraft for deportations is notable due to the high costs involved. A similar deportation flight to Guatemala was reported to have cost approximately $4,675 per migrant.
The flight is expected to arrive in India on Wednesday, where the deportees will be processed by Indian authorities upon arrival.
External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar had earlier stated that New Delhi is open to the “legitimate return” of Indian nationals living illegally abroad, including in the United States.