"They did not tell us that we were being taken to India."
A Punjabi woman who was deported from the US along with 103 other Indians has urged the government to help her return to the UK, adding that she was never told she was being sent back to India.
Muskan, who is from Jagraon, Ludhiana, expressed her desire to return to the UK and continue her studies in London.
The 21-year-old has been studying business management since January 2024.
She travelled to the UK on a study visa and, along with a group of friends, was detained in Tijuana, Mexico, near the US border.
Muskan explained: “We never intended to enter the US illegally.
“We had legally travelled to Mexico and did not attempt to cross the border by jumping across the wall or any other illegal way.
“We were at the Tijuana border when the police stopped us and said that soon the US authorities would take us away.
“I still have a valid study visa for the UK so why have I been deported to India?
“A bus came and we were taken to the detention centre where we spent 10 days. They did not ask us anything and only checked our passports.
“We were a group of at least 40. We had only gone to Mexico.”
When asked why she went to Mexico, Muskan said:
“I along with my friends had gone for a holiday trip to the Tijuana border.”
An emotional Muskan stated that she and the others were never told they were being deported to India.
“We did not face any misbehaviour by the US authorities in any manner. They did not tell us that we were being taken to India.
“It was only after the plane landed in Amritsar that we got to know that we had landed in India. That is when I called my parents to inform them that I have reached Amritsar.”
Like many others who have been deported, Muskan’s family took out loans to send her abroad.
The student explained: “My family had taken a loan of Rs 15 lakh along with some small loans from relatives and friends to send me to the UK for studies.
“I hope the government will understand our family’s financial condition and allow me to return to the UK to complete my studies.
“Now, I am being told that I won’t be allowed to fly to the UK or anywhere else.”
“My two-year course is still pending. I want to return and complete my studies. I humbly appeal to the government to please help me. If I don’t return to the UK, my entire career will be spoiled.”
Shocked by the ordeal, her father added: “We weren’t aware of this at all.
“I only got to know at 5 pm yesterday when she called us from Amritsar airport. We are relieved that she is back home safe.”
Over 100 Indians accused of illegally entering the United States were sent back to their home country via a military aircraft.
Many have since spoken about the harsh treatment they received.
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