Second US flight of deported Indians to land in Amritsar today: Why is Punjab CM upset?

A second flight with more than 100 Indian immigrants deported from the United States is expected to arrive at Amritsar airport on Saturday.

However, even before its arrival, a row has emerged between the Punjab government and the Centre.

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A few days ago, the first such flight arrived in Amritsar with 104 Indian nationals, primarily from Haryana, Gujarat, and Punjab.

Since Donald Trump assumed office as US President last month, law enforcement agencies in the country have intensified their crackdown on illegal immigrants.

Why, then, is the Punjab government unhappy about another plane carrying deported Indian immigrants landing at Amritsar airport?

Let’s take a look:

Punjab CM upset over landing of deported Indians at Amritsar: Here’s why

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has alleged that Amritsar is being deliberately selected to create the impression that only Punjabis are illegal migrants.

The first flight carrying deported Indian immigrants had arrived at Amritsar airport. On Friday, Mann claimed that the second flight would also land in Amritsar on Saturday.

Several media reports, citing sources, stated that the second flight is carrying around 119 illegal Indian immigrants and is expected to arrive at Amritsar airport at approximately 10 pm on Saturday.

Among the 119 deported individuals, 67 are from Punjab, 33 from Haryana, eight from Gujarat, three from Uttar Pradesh, two each from Goa, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan, and one each from Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir, according to PTI.

Addressing the media in Amritsar, Mann stated, “The BJP-led Centre always discriminates against Punjab. It does not let go of any chance of defaming Punjab.”

He claimed that there was a conspiracy to defame Punjab and its people.

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“Now the second plane (carrying illegal Indian immigrants) is coming. It will also land at Amritsar airport tomorrow. Why? What is the criterion for choosing Amritsar? The Centre and Ministry of External Affairs should tell me. Why did you choose Amritsar and not the national capital? You did this to defame Punjab and Punjabis,” Mann said.

He alleged that the move was deliberate to create the impression that only Punjabis migrate illegally. He added that deportation was a national issue.

The Punjab CM strongly criticised the Centre and even asked whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was visiting the US at the time, was bringing back a “gift” from the country, referring to another plane carrying illegal Indian immigrants.

“At the time when PM Modi and (US President) Trump were meeting, they (US authorities) must have been putting shackles on our people. Is this the gift Trump has given? America’s military planes are landing in Amritsar, and an enemy country, Pakistan, is right next to it. Lahore is 40 km from there. What kind of foreign policy is this?" he said.

‘Change route to Delhi, Hindon or Ahmedabad’

The Punjab Chief Minister questioned why a plane carrying former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina could land at Hindon airport in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghaziabad, and Rafale jets from France could land in Haryana’s Ambala, but planes carrying deported Indians could not land in the national capital.

He alleged that Ahmedabad or Ambala was not chosen because the BJP was conspiring to defame Punjab. “They don’t let international flights operate from Amritsar, claiming that it is not suitable for it, so why are flights coming in from the US now?" he added.

“I will strictly oppose this. I demand to the MEA and the MHA that the plane is still onboard, change the route and make it land in Delhi, Hindon or Ahmedabad,” he said.

What BJP said on Punjab CM’s claims

The BJP has dismissed Mann’s allegations and accused him of using the issue for political gain. Newly elected BJP MLA from Rajouri Garden, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, responded sharply to Mann’s remarks.

In a video statement on X, Sirsa said, “CM @BhagwantMann Ji is… rather than doing cheap political drama on the deportation of Punjabis from US who had gone to the country illegally…. you should nab those travel agents who looted these families and robbed them of their hard earned money.”

“You should take decisive action so that these families get their lands back which they were forced to sell to pay to such agents! Merely exploiting people’s emotions for you own agenda is so shameful, Mann Sahab.”

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, speaking in the Rajya Sabha last week, defended the government’s position, stating that every country has a responsibility to take back its nationals if they are found to be residing illegally abroad.

He stated that the deportations were conducted by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as part of standard procedures in place since 2012.

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The row over deported Indians in ‘handcuffs’

The arrival of deported Indians in handcuffs and shackles on the first plane from the US triggered a major controversy, with the opposition demanding an investigation into the deportation process and the treatment of those deported.

Opposition parties strongly criticised the government both inside and outside Parliament, alleging that the deported Indians were brought in an “inhuman manner” on a US military plane and claiming they were “ill-treated and handcuffed.”

The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) defended the process, describing it as a “standard security protocol used on deportation flights to prevent escape attempts or disruptions.”

As criticism over the treatment of the deportees intensified, EAM Jaishankar addressed the matter in Parliament, stating that India was engaging with US officials to ensure the deportees received dignified treatment. He said that while immigration laws must be enforced, humane treatment should not be compromised.

In recent years, there has been a sharp rise in the number of Indians attempting to enter the US through the US-Canada border. In the year ending September 30, the US Border Patrol arrested over 14,000 Indians along this border, which accounts for 60 per cent of all arrests there and represents a more than tenfold increase from two years ago.

PM Modi on immigration

The issue was brought up by reporters during the joint press briefing held by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former US President Donald Trump following their bilateral meeting.

Modi said that there is a need for collective efforts to dismantle the “ecosystem of human trafficking.”

“The young, vulnerable and poor people of India are fooled into immigration. These are children of very ordinary families who are lured by big dreams and big promises. Many are brought in without knowing why they are being brought in. Many are brought in through a human trafficking system,” he said.

With inputs from agencies