As the US authorities undertake a crackdown on illegal immigration under President Donald Trump, a plane carrying the second batch of 119 Indian deportees landed at the Amritsar International Airport on Saturday late evening. Among the 116 Indians being deported, 67 are from Punjab, 33 are from Haryana, eight from Gujarat, three from Uttar Pradesh, two each from Goa, Maharashtra and Rajasthan, and one each is from Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.
Third batch of deportees to arrive on Sunday
The second batch of Indian deportees includes four women and two minors, including a six-year-old girl, the sources said, as it added that most of the deportees are in the age group of 18 to 30. Notably, the third plane carrying 157 deportees is also expected to land on Sunday, news agency PTI reports.
Notably, the US military aircraft with 104 Indian deportees landed at the Shri Guru Ramdas Ji International Airport in Amritsar on February 5.
A family member of the of one of the illegal Indian immigrants deported by the US, says, "He reached the US on 27th January. They sold their land. They are staying at their relative's house. We have spent Rs 50-55 lakhs."
SIT formed to investigate fraudulent travel agents
A four-member Special Investigation Team (SIT), headed by Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), NRI Affairs, Praveen Sinha, has been formed by Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav to probe complaints regarding the involvement of fraudulent travel agents in deceptive immigration practices.
The DGP on Saturday reiterated the Punjab Police's commitment to dismantling these criminal networks and protecting vulnerable individuals from exploitation. He requested the public to come forward with any information that could assist in apprehending culprits against whom cases have been registered.
Additionally, the DGP advised citizens to only approach licensed agents for immigration services and verify their credentials thoroughly to avoid falling prey to scams.
Many people from Punjab and other states, who entered the US through the "donkey route" - an illegal and risky pathway used by migrants to enter America by spending lakhs of rupees -- are now facing deportation.
(With inputs from PTI)
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