The first group of Indian illegal immigrants deported from the United States landed at Amritsar's Shri Guru Ramdas Ji International Airport on Wednesday afternoon. According to sources, a US military aircraft brought more than 100 deportees, who were mostly from Gujarat and Punjab.

Although an official tally of the actual number of deported is yet to be confirmed, preliminary reports showed that the airliner, classified as a military transport C-17, brought in approximately 205 people to the detention camps.

Detention for some, immediate release for others

The authorities have started checking the deportees as soon as they arrive. As per sources, those with criminal records are being taken to a detention center for further action while those with no criminal history are being allowed to leave immediately.

“Case-by-case verification from the concerned states is ongoing,” an official source confirmed. Punjab Police and the Intelligence Bureau are conducting a joint examination of the deportees to ensure due process is followed.

The latest immigration enforcement policies of the US government have finally seen the country deport Indian nationals in large numbers for the first time. Following the assumption of office by US President Donald Trump last month, American law enforcers have increased their action against illegal immigrants, which resulted in increased deportation.

Most of them were crossing the US borders with illegal immigration, known commonly as "donkey routes" by which people cross over spending lakhs on ticket money. Today, it has been getting tighter for such illegal immigrants who hail particularly from Punjab.

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