Expensive Deportations or a Political Message

205 Illegal Indian Immigrants Deported from the US Ahead of Modi’s Visit
The United States has deported 205 illegal Indian immigrants, sending them back to India on a military aircraft, the C-17, from San Antonio Airport in Texas to the city of Amritsar in the Indian state of Punjab. The flight departed around 3 AM local Indian time on Wednesday. This move comes just ahead of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s anticipated visit to the US, sparking speculation about potential strains in the growing friendship between the two nations.

Kapil Sibal, a prominent Indian lawyer and member of the Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Parliament), addressed Prime Minister Modi via the social media platform X, stating: “Modi ji, Trump is deporting 205 illegal immigrants back to India. Apparently, they were handcuffed before being put on the plane… Modi ji, say something.” Former US President Donald Trump had campaigned on a promise of a major crackdown on illegal immigration, a stance that helped him secure victory in the recent presidential elections. Since taking office, he has aggressively enforced this policy.

In recent years, US immigration laws have become increasingly stringent, with the Biden administration also appearing determined to take firm action against illegal immigrants. The number of Indian nationals entering the US illegally has surged, prompting the US government to adopt strict measures to ensure their return. Illegal immigration has become a significant issue in the US, leading to a uniform policy against immigrants from all countries. The images of immigrants being transported in military planes appear to be part of a message underscoring Trump’s hardline stance on such ‘crimes.’ The use of shackles and handcuffs on these immigrants seems to be a calculated part of this strategy.

Globally, illegal immigrants residing in the US are being deported via both commercial and military aircraft. However, the use of military planes for deportations is highly unusual, partly because military transport flights are considerably more expensive than commercial ones. It’s worth noting that Colombia and Mexico recently refused to accept deported nationals arriving on US military flights. Colombian President Gustavo Petro stated that his country would only accept citizens returning via civilian aircraft. However, following the announcement of the deportation of illegal Indian immigrants via a C-17 military aircraft, the Indian government has yet to issue any formal response.

Historically, India has maintained a policy of accepting deported citizens after verifying their identities. Last year, numerous illegal immigrants were returned to India from European countries as well.

According to a report by Business Standard, the US has identified 18,000 illegal Indian immigrants for deportation, with this first batch of 205 individuals now en route to India. On social media in India, both President Trump and Prime Minister Modi are facing criticism, with users questioning the current state of their touted friendship. Many are expressing outrage over the deportation of Indian immigrants in shackles from the US.

Reports from American agencies indicate that a significant portion of individuals involved in cybercrimes in the US comprises Indian immigrants. Several cases have seen Indian nationals charged with financial fraud, identity theft, and online scams. As a result, US authorities are tightening cybersecurity laws and taking action against those involved in such criminal activities. This could be an important factor influencing the recent decision to deport illegal Indian immigrants.

According to estimates by the Pew Research Center, by 2022, over 700,000 Indians were residing in the US without proper legal documentation. This makes them the third-largest group of illegal immigrants in the country, following those from Mexico and El Salvador. A New York Times report indicates that many of these Indians initially entered the US legally but overstayed their visas, remaining without proper documentation. Additionally, many others entered the US illegally by crossing borders from various countries. US government statistics reveal that nearly 90,000 Indian nationals were apprehended for illegal entry into the country just two years ago, in 2023.

On January 24th, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt posted images on X showing shackled and handcuffed immigrants being led towards a military aircraft. Her post read: “Deportation flights have begun. President Trump is sending a strong, clear message to the world: If you enter the US illegally, you will face severe consequences.”

President Trump has been pursuing a policy of swift deportation, bypassing prolonged detention or appeals for illegal immigrants. In December 2024, he stated: “I don’t want them sitting in camps here for the next 20 years. I want them out, and their countries must take them back.”

While immigration policies were a topic of discussion during Trump’s first term, his return to the White House now poses an even greater challenge for immigrants. It’s also worth noting that President Trump has ordered the establishment of a detention centre at Guantanamo Bay for illegal immigrants, with a capacity to hold 30,000 individuals.

The detention centre being constructed at the US naval base in Cuba will be separate from the high-security prison already present there. This new facility is intended to house the ‘worst criminal illegal immigrants who pose a threat to the American public.’

It is worth noting that Guantanamo Bay has long been used to detain illegal immigrants, a practice that has been widely condemned by human rights organisations. Tom Homan, head of border affairs under the Trump administration, stated that the existing centre will be expanded. According to him, the facility will be managed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). However, it remains unclear how much this expansion will cost or when it will be completed. Meanwhile, the Cuban government has condemned Donald Trump’s announcement.

President Trump has also declared plans to deport nearly one million individuals lacking legal documentation. However, this initiative could face obstacles from so-called ‘sanctuary cities’ in the US, such as Los Angeles, New York, Houston, Chicago, and Atlanta. These cities host large populations of undocumented immigrants and have local policies that are generally more immigrant-friendly compared to other parts of the country.

It should be noted that the Trump administration began detaining and deporting undocumented immigrants from Chicago, with raids being carried out for this purpose. By the end of last week, similar operations had commenced in Atlanta, Denver, Miami, and San Antonio. But what exactly does it mean for a city to declare itself a ‘sanctuary’ and how does it benefit undocumented immigrants?

The term ‘sanctuary’ used in these cities originates from the Middle Ages, when inns, monasteries, and other religious institutions provided refuge and protection for travellers. They offered shelter to those seeking safety from criminals or to slaves escaping persecution. However, in the US, the term began to be used in the late 20th century.

Ernesto Castañeda, Director of the Immigration Lab and Centre for Latin American Studies at American University in Washington, D.C., told BBC Mundo that ‘during the 1980s and 1990s, this tradition was revived by some religious members and social activists who helped immigrants from El Salvador and Guatemala escape authoritarian regimes and settle in safe communities in cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Washington.’

During that period, the immigrant rights movement, inspired by struggles in France and other countries, began referring to these cities with large undocumented populations as sanctuaries. In reality, this is a symbolic declaration. There is no legal definition, nor is there any federal sanctuary law that outlines what is legal or illegal. However, these are cities where tolerance towards foreigners, minorities, and undocumented immigrants is more prevalent.

Meanwhile, heated debates continue on social media, with ‘C-17’ trending as various memes circulate. Criticism has also been directed towards segments of Indian society who supported Trump, conducted prayers for his victory, and expressed hopes for his success. Indian media reports highlight that “America is using C-17 military aircraft for deportations, even though this could be done more cheaply via civilian planes. One reason is that America wants to send a message of military might and intimidation to the countries receiving these illegal immigrants.”

In response to Kapil Sibal’s tweet, a user named Mahesh wrote, ‘Handcuffs? This is sheer injustice. The Ministry of External Affairs and Jaishankar must have agreed to this during last week’s visit to the US. This will not sit well with the Indian public.’ According to The Indian Express, deporting foreign immigrants via military aircraft is symbolic, but ‘Trump has often labelled illegal immigrants as “aliens” and “criminals,” calling them “attackers on America,” language that warrants careful scrutiny.’

Historically, nothing significantly different has occurred, even under Democratic administrations in the White House. Migration experts state that ‘deportations have occurred under every administration, including those of Joe Biden and Barack Obama, and on a large scale. However, these routine deportations received less media coverage. Currently, while the numbers are similar, there is greater public attention on what’s happening and how it’s being carried out.’
However, it appears that Trump aims to act more aggressively, swiftly, and on a larger scale.

The US typically uses commercial aircraft for deporting illegal immigrants, with flights overseen by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Deportations from the US have been ongoing for years, but experts note that now, with military aircraft like the C-17 being used, there is greater attention, and the costs are significantly higher.

For instance, the estimated cost of a C-17 flight to Guatemala is at least $4,675 per passenger, whereas the same task on a commercial flight could be completed for just $853 per passenger—even in first class. Ty Johnson, Director of the US Customs and Immigration Enforcement Department, informed American lawmakers during a hearing that deportation flights under his department’s supervision (on commercial aircraft) cost approximately $17,000 per hour, while operating a C-17 military plane costs $28,500 per hour. So far, such flights have been dispatched to Colombia, Mexico, Guatemala, Peru, Honduras, and Ecuador.

Indian media reports further state that the C-17 flight carrying Indian migrants from the US will take 24 hours to reach India, with a scheduled stopover at the Guam base. However, the latest report from India indicates that the flight will land this afternoon at Sri Guru Ram Dass International Airport. This suggests that the journey has taken over 36 hours. But even if we estimate the duration to be just 24 hours, the total cost amounts to $684,000. When divided among 205 individuals, this equates to $3,336 per person, which is three times the cost of a regular commercial flight.

Over the past two decades, India-US relations have significantly strengthened, with both nations cooperating as strategic partners on the global stage. Their ties have been particularly close in defence, economic, and technological sectors. However, this recent incident has raised questions about the resilience of this relationship.

Meanwhile, India appears eager to maintain favour with President Trump. Although no official comment has been made on this deportation, signals from the annual budget presented on 1st December suggest that India seeks to project a conciliatory stance towards the US. Last week, India further reduced import duties on luxury motorcycles, cutting tariffs on heavyweight bikes with engines over 1600cc from 50% to 30%, and on smaller vehicles from 50% to 40%. Experts believe these reductions aim to facilitate Harley-Davidson imports, a pre-emptive move to shield India from potential US tariff pressures.

Despite the recent deportations, it is unlikely that a major rift will develop in the bilateral relationship. The US views India as a key ally, especially in light of China’s growing influence. Both countries continue to engage in defence cooperation, trade agreements, and joint efforts in technology sectors. Additionally, new agreements are expected during Narendra Modi’s proposed visit to the US, which could further solidify ties.

It would be premature to interpret the deportation of Indian migrants by the US as a sign of a fracture in bilateral relations. Although it is a sensitive issue, the strong foundation of India-US ties suggests that both nations will remain close allies in the future. Narendra Modi’s visit to the US will help determine whether this recent event was merely an isolated incident or if it will have long-term implications.

Indian media reports further state that the C-17 flight carrying Indian migrants from the US will take 24 hours to reach India, with a scheduled stopover at the Guam base. However, the latest report from India indicates that the flight will land this afternoon at Sri Guru Ram Dass International Airport. This suggests that the journey has taken over 36 hours. But even if we estimate the duration to be just 24 hours, the total cost amounts to $684,000. When divided among 205 individuals, this equates to $3,336 per person, which is three times the cost of a regular commercial flight.

Over the past two decades, India-US relations have significantly strengthened, with both nations cooperating as strategic partners on the global stage. Their ties have been particularly close in defence, economic, and technological sectors. However, this recent incident has raised questions about the resilience of this relationship.

Meanwhile, India appears eager to maintain favour with President Trump. Although no official comment has been made on this deportation, signals from the annual budget presented on 1st December suggest that India seeks to project a conciliatory stance towards the US. Last week, India further reduced import duties on luxury motorcycles, cutting tariffs on heavyweight bikes with engines over 1600cc from 50% to 30%, and on smaller vehicles from 50% to 40%. Experts believe these reductions aim to facilitate Harley-Davidson imports, a pre-emptive move to shield India from potential US tariff pressures.

Despite the recent deportations, it is unlikely that a major rift will develop in the bilateral relationship. The US views India as a key ally, especially in light of China’s growing influence. Both countries continue to engage in defence cooperation, trade agreements, and joint efforts in technology sectors. Additionally, new agreements are expected during Narendra Modi’s proposed visit to the US, which could further solidify ties.

It would be premature to interpret the deportation of Indian migrants by the US as a sign of a fracture in bilateral relations. Although it is a sensitive issue, the strong foundation of India-US ties suggests that both nations will remain close allies in the future. Narendra Modi’s visit to the US will help determine whether this recent event was merely an isolated incident or if it will have long-term implications.