Trump’s Mass Deportation Efforts Intensify: US Military Plane Deports Indian Migrants
Since returning to office, US President Donald Trump has aggressively pursued his hardline stance on illegal immigration. On Tuesday, Reuters reported that a US military aircraft carrying deported Indian nationals had departed from Texas. This follows New Delhi’s recent confirmation that it would accept undocumented migrants once their Indian nationality is verified.
Deportation Flights: India Joins the List
Similar military deportation flights have already transported migrants to Guatemala, Peru, and Honduras. Now, Indian nationals are among those facing forced repatriation as Trump implements stringent measures to crack down on illegal immigration.
How Many Indians Are Being Deported?
The Trump administration is focusing on removing undocumented immigrants residing in the US. Reports indicate that around 20,407 Indians could be affected. This includes 17,940 individuals who are under “final removal orders” and an additional 2,467 detained under the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) program.
According to CNBC, the recent C-17 military flight to India carried approximately 200 undocumented migrants. Additionally, Pew Research Center data from 2022 revealed that 725,000 Indians were living in the US without proper documentation, making them the third-largest group of unauthorized immigrants.
Cost and Logistics of Military Deportation Flights
Unlike the conventional use of commercial charter flights for deportations, the Trump administration is deploying military aircraft, a move that has drawn international criticism. Some countries have even resisted, with Colombia refusing to allow a US military deportation flight to land on January 26.
The financial burden of these deportations is significant. Reuters reported that a military deportation flight to Guatemala on January 27 cost an estimated $4,675 (over ₹4 lakh) per migrant.
Trump’s Crackdown on Immigration
From day one of his new term, Trump declared illegal immigration a “national emergency,” enacting sweeping measures to deport undocumented individuals.
Key actions include:
- Granting ICE access to federal agencies such as the FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration to track down undocumented immigrants.
- Deploying US military forces to assist border security operations.
- Removing protections that prevented arrests at sensitive locations like schools, hospitals, and places of worship.
- Revoking “parole” status, making it easier to deport individuals with unresolved immigration status.
- Shutting down the CBP One mobile app, which allowed migrants to schedule appointments at border entry points.
- Ending birthright citizenship for children born to undocumented immigrants.
Expanding Detention Centers for Migrants
As the deportation process continues, the Trump administration is ramping up detention facilities. On January 29, Trump announced the construction of a migrant detention center at Guantanamo Bay, which will accommodate up to 30,000 detainees. The US military has also offered Buckley Space Force Base in Colorado as a site for holding migrants.
With increased federal cooperation, ICE arrests have surged. Reuters reported that in just the last week of January, ICE detained approximately 1,000 people—three times the daily average from the previous year.
Economic Pressure as a Deportation Strategy
Trump is leveraging economic pressure to enforce deportation policies. When Colombia refused to accept deportees, the US responded by imposing a 25% tariff on Colombian imports. In response, Colombia promptly arranged for its own aircraft to transport deported migrants, avoiding a trade standoff with its largest trading partner.
Similarly, Trump announced 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico over border security concerns. By Sunday, both nations had negotiated deals in exchange for a 30-day pause on the tariffs, agreeing to strengthen border enforcement efforts.
Impact on Legal Migration and H-1B Visas
India’s cooperation in accepting deported migrants is seen as a strategic move to ensure smooth legal migration processes, particularly in the face of US debates over the H-1B visa program. While some Trump supporters have pushed for eliminating the program, influential figures, including billionaire Elon Musk, have argued for its continuation, citing its benefits to the US economy.
Trump’s aggressive deportation policies are shaping the global immigration landscape, with nations forced to navigate diplomatic challenges while protecting the rights of their citizens abroad.