By Ritu Jha-
The deportation of 104 Indian nationals from the United States earlier this week has shocked communities, sparked protests in India, and raised concerns about future removals.
A U.S. military C-17 aircraft carrying the deportees landed at Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport in Amritsar, Punjab, on Feb. 5, after departing the U.S. on Feb. 3. The deported individuals, primarily from Haryana and Gujarat, included 25 women, 12 minors, and several young adults, with the youngest being just four years old. The flight was accompanied by 11 crew members and 45 U.S. officials overseeing the deportation process.
Global attention turned to the deportations after U.S. Border Patrol Chief Michael W. Banks shared footage on social media platform X on Feb. 4. The video showed deportees in chains, with Banks stating, “… successfully returned illegal aliens to India, marking the farthest deportation flight yet using military transport. This mission underscores our commitment to enforcing immigration laws and ensuring swift removals. If you cross illegally, you will be removed.”
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said there was “no deviation from established procedures” regarding the deportation of Indian nationals. He did not condemn the use of restraints but emphasized the need to combat the illegal immigration industry, noting that such deportations have been occurring since 2009.
The number of Indian nationals deported from the U.S. has fluctuated over the years. In 2009, 734 individuals were deported, a number that remained relatively stable until 2015. However, deportations surged in 2016, the start of Trump’s first term, to 1,303 and continued to rise, peaking at 2,042 in 2019. Numbers dropped during the COVID-19 pandemic but have since increased again, with 1,368 deported in 2024 and 104 so far in 2025.
“It is unfortunate that the deportees were treated like criminals,” said Dr. Thomas Abraham, chairman of the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) International. “Deportations occurred under previous administrations in a more humane manner. Prime Minister Narendra Modi must negotiate a way to ensure deportations take place via chartered flights with marshals on board.”
Despite widespread concern, Indian American Congress members have largely remained silent. When asked for comment, Rep. Shri Thanedar, D-Mich., responded, “No comments.”
A 2022 Pew Research study found that after Mexico, India had the second-largest unauthorized immigrant population in the U.S., estimated at 725,000. The Department of Homeland Security did not respond to inquiries about the total number of undocumented Indian nationals, future deportation plans, or whether enforcement aligns with the Laken Riley Act, which authorizes deportation for crimes such as shoplifting.
It remains unclear how many of the 104 deported individuals had criminal records. However, data from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) indicates that since 2021, 244,537 Indian nationals with criminal records have been processed under the agency’s Alternatives to Detention program. ICE data does not specify gender or types of crimes committed.
Trump signed an executive order on Jan. 20 titled “Protecting the American People Against Invasion,” leading to increased immigration enforcement. Reports of workplace raids and detentions have left many undocumented workers fearful.
“One day, they will visit California restaurants as well,” said Rajasekhar Parvathaneni, a restaurant owner in the San Francisco Bay Area. “They did in 2019 during Trump’s first term. Just recently, they raided a friend’s restaurant in Memphis. Even workers with visas were held at a law enforcement office for hours before being released.”
Parvathaneni, who employs 50 workers, said businesses rely on temporary visa workers for survival.
“The previous government allowed this, and we hired people accordingly. Now, we are being targeted. Not all undocumented workers are criminals—most of them are hardworking.”
Attorney Jay Terkiana, managing partner at Terkiana PC in San Jose, California, said there is considerable confusion about deportation policies. He noted that pending applications, including family-based petitions and asylum requests, do not always protect individuals from removal.
“There have been instances where legal residents or even Native Americans have been mistakenly detained,” Terkiana said. “Mass deportation operations were strategically planned from day one of Trump’s second term. Some view this as necessary, while others see it as inhumane.”
While Trump’s policies align with his campaign promises, Terkiana believes immigration enforcement has been mishandled.
“Democrats failed to implement effective screening processes, allowing criminal elements to enter,” including gangs from India, to infiltrate U.S. communities, he said. “Now, the pendulum has swung too far to the right.”
Concerns have also been raised over increased scrutiny of legal immigrants.
“Employment-based visa applicants should expect delays and more Requests for Further Evidence,” Terkiana warned. “The same officials who oversaw immigration during Trump’s first term are back in power.”
Meanwhile, India’s Ministry of External Affairs reiterated its opposition to illegal migration.
“Cooperation between India and the U.S. remains strong,” said spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal.
The community hopes Prime Minister Modi will discuss the issue during his upcoming visit to Washington, D.C., where he will meet with Trump.
“These issues won’t affect U.S.-India relations,” Abraham said. “Both leaders will find ways to resolve them in their nations’ common interest.”
[Photo courtesy: Twitter screenshot taken from the https://x.com/USBPChief/status/1886946028185682347]
