Ahmedabad, February 16 – A group of eight Gujaratis, part of 116 Indian deportees expelled from the United States for illegal immigration, arrived at Ahmedabad airport on Sunday morning after landing in Amritsar late Saturday night. Authorities confirmed that the returnees, including a woman and a child, were subsequently transported to their respective home districts under police supervision.
Assistant Police Commissioner R.D. Ojha (G Division) stated that the eight individuals reached Ahmedabad at 11 a.m. and were immediately escorted in police vehicles to their native districts. Among them, three hail from Gandhinagar, while one is a resident of Ahmedabad.
This group was part of the second batch of deported Indians following a crackdown on illegal immigrants ordered by the U.S. administration. The first batch, comprising 104 deportees, arrived in Amritsar on February 5, drawing widespread criticism after reports emerged that they were shackled in handcuffs and leg irons during their repatriation. Among them, 33 were from Gujarat.
A third deportation flight, carrying 157 more Indian nationals, is expected to land in Amritsar later on Sunday, sources revealed. The U.S. government’s intensified immigration enforcement measures have led to an increasing number of deportations of Indians who entered the country illegally in pursuit of better job opportunities or permanent residency.
Expressing sympathy for the deportees, former Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel emphasized that these individuals should not be viewed as criminals, as they had traveled abroad in search of employment and career prospects.
