US Deports Indian Migrants on C-17 Military Aircraft, First Under Donald Trump's Return

​​​​​​​According to a U.S. official speaking to Reuters, the aircraft was set to arrive in over 24 hours, although its exact location was not disclosed.

A significant deportation flight carrying illegal migrants from the U.S. to India took off on Monday aboard a U.S. military C-17 aircraft, marking the first such flight since Donald Trump's return to the White House.

According to a U.S. official speaking to Reuters, the aircraft was set to arrive in over 24 hours, although its exact location was not disclosed.

Advertisement

The Trump administration has used the U.S. military in recent years to enforce stricter immigration policies, including deploying troops to the U.S.-Mexico border and utilizing military planes for deportations. In the past, similar flights have deported individuals to countries like Guatemala, Peru, and Honduras, but this flight to India represents the farthest such deportation under the administration.

Both Trump and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio have expressed concerns about illegal immigration from India, a topic they have discussed in talks with Indian officials like Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. During these discussions, Jaishankar emphasized India’s opposition to illegal immigration into the U.S., noting that it often leads to criminal activities that tarnish the reputation of both countries. He further assured that India is willing to facilitate the legitimate return of any Indian citizens illegally residing in the U.S.

Advertisement

According to reports, over 1,100 Indian nationals were deported from the U.S. between October 2023 and September 2024, with the number of deportations steadily increasing in recent years.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has described these deportations as part of "regular consular dialogue and arrangements" with the U.S., with spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirming ongoing discussions on immigration and the movement of people between the two nations.

Advertisement

Read also| Allegations of Foreign Nations Orchestrating Assassinations of Americans a Grave Concern: Tulsi Gabbard

Read also| Yati Narsinghanand Urges PM Modi to Take Military Action for Hindu Protection in Bangladesh and Pakistan

Advertisement

Advertisement