Karnal: A flight carrying 53 residents from Haryana, who had been deported from the United States for allegedly residing there illegally, arrived at Delhi airport, as reported by an official familiar with the situation.
The official further stated that all 53 individuals were reunited with their family members.
This recent flight follows nearly 10 months after the deportation of over 300 Indians on three US military flights, which sparked controversy due to the handcuffing and shackling of women and children, prompting the Indian government to address the issue with US authorities. In July of this year, external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal indicated that the US had deported a total of 1,563 Indian nationals since January.
Officials acquainted with the situation noted that the latest flight included residents from Haryana—16 from Karnal district, 14 from Kaithal, five each from Ambala and Kurukshetra, four from Yamunanagar, three from Jind, and one each from Rohtak, Panipat, Panchkula, Fatehabad, and Sonepat districts. The official also mentioned that the home district of one deportee had not yet been determined.
“The men were transported by buses from the airport and taken to their respective districts by members of the Chief Minister’s Flying Squad, where they were handed over to their family members following the necessary documentation,” an official stated, adding that most of those deported had entered illegally via ‘donkey routes’.
Confirming the arrival of 14 residents from Kaithal, DSP Lalit Yadav stated: “All of them traveled to the United States in search of employment and were apprehended by authorities for illegal residency. One individual, a resident of Taragarh village, was charged under the Excise Act and failed to appear in court. He will be brought before a court for further proceedings.”
Naresh Kumar, one of the deported individuals from Kaithal who utilized the dunki route, expressed that his American dream was dashed despite investing ₹57 lakh, and he endured 14 months in a federal jail in the US.
Kumar recounted that he sold his agricultural land for ₹42 lakh, secured ₹6.5 lakh after his brother sold a parcel of land, obtained a loan of ₹6 lakh, and borrowed ₹2.50 lakh from relatives to facilitate his settlement abroad. “Initially, I paid ₹42 lakh to the agent, who facilitated our passage through the dunki route via Panama, and I had to remit the remaining amount at various stages along the journey. Despite enduring significant hardship for two months and six days to reach the USA, I was among the unfortunate individuals who were deported,” he remarked.
In May, the US State Department declared visa restrictions on owners and officials of travel agencies in India who knowingly aided illegal immigration to the United States, marking the latest in a series of measures by Washington aimed at addressing this issue.
The majority of the deportees hail from Punjab and Gujarat, having been sent abroad via the so-called “donkey routes” by travel agents.
Karnal DSP Sandeep Kumar indicated that the deportees have not lodged any complaints against any agents thus far.
Karnal SP Ganga Ram Punia noted that one individual had a prior criminal case related to electricity theft, which is currently under trial, and he is out on bail.
Officials familiar with the situation also confirmed a criminal case under the Arms Act against the resident of Sonepat.
