Deportees released seven hours after Amritsar landing.
A group of deportees, who arrived in Amritsar on a special flight, were taken out in security-escorted buses nearly seven hours after landing. Authorities ensured tight security around the airport, preventing any interaction with the media. The deportees were not allowed to speak to journalists or make any statements regarding their return. Officials cited procedural formalities as the reason for the delay in their release. The buses carrying them left the airport under strict surveillance. Families waiting outside were not given immediate access to their relatives. The entire process was carried out discreetly, with law enforcement ensuring that no unauthorized communication took place between the deportees and the press.
Deportees Taken Away in Security-Escorted Buses After Hours-Long Delay
Amritsar: A US military plane carrying 112 deportees landed at Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport late Sunday night, but it was only after nearly seven hours that the deportees were allowed to leave the premises. The entire operation was conducted under tight security, with the deportees being taken away in security-escorted buses from two separate airport gates in the early hours of Monday.
The deportees, who landed at 10:03 p.m., had to wait until after 4:30 a.m. before they could exit in small batches. By the time the last of the deportees left the airport, it was already close to 5 a.m. Authorities ensured that the deportees remained under strict supervision throughout, preventing them from interacting with the media. Family members who had come to receive their loved ones were also barred from entering the premises.
Among the 112 deportees on the flight, 31 were from Punjab, 44 from Haryana, and one from Himachal Pradesh. Officials confirmed that the respective state governments had arranged transportation for the deportees to reach their final destinations. Despite repeated queries, authorities refused to disclose details regarding the deportation process, maintaining that the entire procedure was handled as per protocol.
Strict Security Measures in Place
The deportees, who had been sent back from the United States, were subject to stringent security checks upon arrival. The airport authorities, in coordination with central security agencies, ensured that the deportees were not allowed to communicate with anyone outside official channels. The security personnel, including state police and paramilitary forces, remained stationed at the airport until all deportees had been escorted out.
The movement of deportees was handled discreetly, with buses leaving in intervals to avoid drawing attention. Officials remained tight-lipped about why the deportees had been made to wait for several hours inside the airport before being allowed to leave. Some speculated that documentation processes and identity verification might have contributed to the delay.
Families Left in the Dark
Many family members had gathered outside the airport in hopes of reuniting with the deportees. However, they were kept at bay by security personnel, who did not allow any direct interaction. Some relatives expressed frustration at the lack of communication and the secrecy surrounding the process. “We have been waiting here all night. We don’t know where they are being taken or when we will be able to see them,” said one anxious relative who had traveled from Haryana to receive a deported family member.
For the deportees, the return journey was far from welcoming. Most of them had spent years trying to build lives in the United States, only to be sent back under strict repatriation policies. While some deportees may have returned due to visa violations, others reportedly faced deportation after legal proceedings in the US determined their cases.
Uncertain Future for Deportees
With deportation numbers increasing in recent months, concerns about the future of deportees have grown. Many deportees will have to start afresh, facing financial uncertainty and social stigma upon returning. Some deportees who spoke to their families before the flight departed from the US had expressed their distress about returning home empty-handed.
Local authorities have assured that efforts will be made to help reintegrate deportees into society. Punjab and Haryana officials have acknowledged the need to assist deportees with employment opportunities and psychological support. However, no formal rehabilitation program has been announced.
For many deportees, returning home under such circumstances is not just a logistical challenge but also an emotional one. “My brother went to the US looking for a better future, but now he is back with nothing. He doesn’t know what to do next,” said a family member of one of the deportees from Punjab.
A Growing Trend in Deportations
The arrival of these deportees is part of a broader trend in recent years. The US government has ramped up deportations of individuals who have overstayed their visas or failed to meet immigration requirements. Many of the deportees had spent significant time in detention centers before being flown back.
Experts say that increased deportations are a result of stricter immigration enforcement policies in the US. The Indian government, meanwhile, has been working with US authorities to facilitate the return of deportees. Despite these efforts, the reintegration of deportees remains a significant challenge.
Awaiting Clarity
As more deportees continue to arrive on repatriation flights, questions remain about how authorities will manage their return. While security measures at the airport ensured a controlled release of deportees, there is still uncertainty about their long-term prospects.
For now, the 112 deportees have been sent to their respective states, but their journey is far from over. Many deportees will have to navigate the challenges of rebuilding their lives in a place they once left behind. The government’s response in the coming months will determine how well these deportees are supported as they reintegrate into Indian society.
As deportations continue, the plight of deportees will remain a pressing issue for policymakers and communities alike. The return of deportees from the US is not just a logistical matter—it is a social and economic challenge that requires urgent attention.