In a dramatic escalation of immigration enforcement, the United States deported over 100 Indians, fulfilling a key election promise of President Donald Trump. The deportees, who entered the U.S. illegally, were flown back on a military aircraft, restrained in handcuffs and leg cuffs throughout the journey. The mass deportation comes just days before Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to Washington, adding tension to the diplomatic relationship between the two nations.
Dreams Shattered, Fortunes Lost
Daler Singh, a 37-year-old from Salempura, Punjab, spent six months and nearly $45,000 to reach the U.S. without documentation. His journey took him through Dubai and Mexico, where he endured long treks before crossing into the U.S. He was detained on January 15 and deported three weeks later.
“I have lost my life savings,” Singh said, his voice filled with regret. “Nobody should take the illegal route or believe the false promises of agents. Always go through the visa process.”
To fund his attempt at a better life, Singh mortgaged his family’s land and jewelry. Now, he is back home, burdened with debt and uncertainty.
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Massive Deportation Operation
. Among the returnees were 25 women and several children. U.S. Border Patrol Chief Michael W. Banks shared a video on social media showing deportees being escorted onto the plane in restraints.
“This mission underscores our commitment to enforcing immigration laws and ensuring swift removals,” Banks wrote. “If you cross illegally, you will be removed.”
The return of these individuals has sparked political criticism in India. Opposition parties have questioned the Modi government’s failure to create job opportunities, which forces thousands to seek illegal migration routes in search of a better future.
Harsh Treatment Sparks Outrage
Singh, along with others, described the journey home as humiliating. “Our hands and legs were cuffed the entire time,” he said. “Even when we ate, they didn’t unlock the cuffs.”
“We must crack down on illegal migration while working to ease visa access for legal travelers,” Jaishankar said. He also pledged that Indian law enforcement agencies would take strict action against human trafficking networks based on information from the returnees.
The Root Cause: Unemployment
Many deportees had risked everything to leave India due to a lack of employment opportunities. Akashdeep Singh, 23, left for the U.S. last month after failing to find a job in India. His farming family sold two tractors, some land, and took out loans to finance his journey.
“Why would we send our children away if there were jobs here?” his father, Swaran Singh, asked. “We need employment so our youth don’t have to take such risks.”
The mass deportation highlights the ongoing struggle between immigration enforcement and economic desperation. While governments focus on border control, families continue to seek ways to escape poverty, often at great personal cost.
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