US Deports Migrants to India Using Military Plane, Marking a First in Immigration Crackdown

The United States deported a group of Indian migrants on a military aircraft, marking the farthest destination reached by such flights under the current administration as part of an effort to tighten immigration control.

Military Plane Deports Migrants to India

A U.S. official confirmed that a C-17 military transport aircraft departed for India with the deported individuals onboard. The flight, which is expected to arrive within 24 hours, marks a shift in U.S. deportation strategies by utilizing military resources for international removals.

Expanded Use of Military for Immigration Control

This is one of the strategies in the larger plan by the U.S. government to use military resources in immigration enforcement. The recent steps include deploying more troops at the U.S.-Mexico border, converting military bases into temporary shelters for migrants, and conducting military deportation flights to countries such as Guatemala, Peru, and Honduras. The most recent flight to India is the latest extension of this strategy.

High Costs and Growing Concerns

Though successful in enforcing immigration policies, deportation flights using military aircraft are costly. A recent deportation flight to Guatemala was estimated to cost at least $4,675 per migrant, which raises a red flag on the financial implications of such operations.

U.S.-India Cooperation on Deportation

The Indian government has been working closely with the U.S. authorities on this issue. The two countries have identified around 18,000 Indian nationals illegally staying in the U.S. for deportation purposes. So far, 205 Indian migrants have been repatriated through military planes.

A New Chapter in U.S. Immigration Policy?

This is an aggressive move from the U.S. administration as it tackles illegal immigration. In the coming months, further news on this policy is expected, as the government continues to deploy military resources for deportation.

Wait for updates on this immigration policy.