A US military aircraft carrying 205 illegal Indian immigrants is set to land at the Shri Guru Ramdas Ji International Airport in Amritsar on Wednesday afternoon. Initially scheduled to arrive in the morning, the aircraft has been delayed, and neither the US nor Indian governments have disclosed details about those on board.

Reports indicate that a C-17 Globemaster took off from San Antonio, Texas, carrying deported immigrants, many of whom hail from Punjab and neighboring states. The deportation follows a renewed crackdown on illegal immigration by US authorities after Donald Trump returned to the presidency last month.

Several Punjabis, who entered the US through "donkey routes"—paying hefty sums to illegal agents—are now facing forced repatriation. Many had overstayed work permits and were classified as undocumented.

Reacting to the development, Punjab’s NRI Affairs Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal expressed disappointment over the US government's decision. He argued that these individuals, who contributed to the US economy, should have been granted permanent residency instead of being deported.

Dhaliwal urged Punjabis to avoid illegal migration and instead focus on acquiring skills and education to access global opportunities legally. "It is crucial for our youth to seek proper education and language skills before considering moving abroad," the AAP leader emphasized.

The large-scale deportation has sparked concerns among families in Punjab, many of whom had invested heavily in securing a future in the US for their loved ones.