Why are US Deportation Flights Landing in Punjab?

As part of Donald Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration, there have been several deportation flights from the United States.

Receiving a lot of attention are the flights involving Indian migrants.

There have been three deportation flights so far.

But even though the flights are transporting Indians from different parts of the country, they are only landing in Amritsar, Punjab.

The arrival of these flights has sparked controversy, with Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann accusing the Centre of portraying illegal immigration as a Punjab-centric issue.

The first flight, which landed on February 5, carried 104 deportees, including 30 from Punjab.

Opposition parties condemned the treatment of the deportees, claiming they were handcuffed and transported in a US military aircraft.

Protests erupted in Parliament and beyond, with critics calling it an “inhuman” act.

Mann claimed that the decision to land these flights in Amritsar was a “smear campaign” against Punjab.

He said: “Punjabis have always stood against the Centre’s regressive policies, which is why the BJP harbours resentment against them and continues to conspire to tarnish their image.”

The controversy has escalated amid Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US.

Mann attacked Modi over the deportations, saying: “While Modi was shaking hands with his friend (US president) Donald Trump, Indian citizens were being deported in chains on a military aircraft.

“The chained Indians being sent back are Trump’s return gift to Modi.”

AAP Punjab President Aman Arora also criticised the landings, labelling them an “anti-Punjab stance” meant to “defame” the state.

Farmer unions and civil society groups echoed similar concerns.

Sukhwinder Kaur, general secretary of Bharatiya Kisan Union (Krantikari), said:

“Because Punjab does not have a BJP-majority government, they repeatedly make us feel sidelined.”

Jagjit Singh Dallewal of the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) linked illegal migration to Punjab’s economic struggles.

He said: “We must analyse why people are leaving Punjab in the first place.

“Agriculture is not profitable, and youngsters have no choice but to migrate for better opportunities.”

The BJP dismissed these claims, arguing that Amritsar is part of India and not being singled out.

Punjab BJP Vice-President Subhash Sharma said: “Is Amritsar not a part of the country?

“Rather than focusing on where the flight is landing, the Punjab CM should address the root cause – why illegal migration is happening in the first place.

“Would the facts change if the flight landed elsewhere?”

Other BJP leaders highlighted the Centre’s contributions to Punjab, pointing to the conviction of Congress leader Sajjan Kumar in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots case and initiatives like the Kartarpur Sahib corridor.

However, locals have expressed concerns.

A Ludhiana-based immigration consultant said: “No matter what the BJP claims, people here know the truth.

“It doesn’t matter if you are a daily wager or earning a six-figure salary – seeing only Amritsar being chosen for deportee flights irks everyone.”

Jaskirat Singh, a software engineer, echoed the sentiment:

“If deportee flights keep landing in Amritsar, the message will go out that Punjabis form the bulk of illegal immigrants, which is not true.

“The national capital should have been chosen to avoid controversy.”

Discussing the rehabilitation of the deportees, Mann said:

“We will not let them suffer from depression and will give them opportunities to work in Punjab.”

“They will be shown some projects in Punjab.

“If there is requirement of any workforce in those projects, we will try to get them employed or they can prepare for competitive exams for government jobs and if they clear that exam, they can secure a government job as well.

“We will stay in touch with them.”

In a follow-up press conference, Mann has said further deportation flights are unlikely to land in Punjab:

“I protested even in Amritsar. It was covered by the media at the national level as well.

“But I feel that the impact of this protest will be that the next flight that comes will at least not land in Amritsar or anywhere in Punjab.”