First U.S. Deportation Flight Brings 104 Indian Migrants Back Home

CGC News Reporter February 5, 2025

A U.S. military plane carrying 104 Indian migrants who had been deported arrived in northern India on Wednesday. This marks the first flight as part of a crackdown ordered by the Trump administration on illegal immigration.

The migrants, who had entered the U.S. illegally over the years, came from various parts of India. The deportation came ahead of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to Washington, where immigration and other issues were discussed between U.S. President Donald Trump and Modi.

India has agreed to take back its citizens, as long as their nationality is verified. The Indian government has said it opposes illegal immigration due to links with organized crime and has not objected to the U.S. deporting its citizens.

According to U.S. government data, 519 Indian nationals were deported between November 2023 and October 2024. There are an estimated 725,000 undocumented Indians in the U.S., mainly from Punjab and Gujarat.