Heart-wrenching stories have emerged from the 104 people deported to India from the US, who were allegedly staying illegally in America. This move follows Trump’s new policy aimed at sending illegal migrants back to their home countries. Of them, 33 each were from Haryana and Gujarat, 30 from Punjab, three each from Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, and two from Chandigarh.
Relatives of those deported have shared that they spent anywhere between Rs 30 lakh and 50 lakh to send their loved ones to the United States. Many of these individuals had recently made their way there illegally and had not yet applied for asylum. The heartbreaking reality of their journey is still unfolding. Many of them were even duped out of crores of rupees by agents who lured them with the false promise of the ‘American Dream.’

Among them is Sukhjeet Kaur, who hails from Punjab’s Verpal village. She had traveled to the U.S. to marry her fiancé, who lived there. However, before she could get married, she was detained and deported. Her father, Kabul Singh, is in Italy, while her mother and brother live in Punjab.

Also Read: How Did This Mysterious Man Get a Place in Ratan Tata’s Will? Set to Inherit Rs 500 Crore

A relative shared that Sukhjeet is 26 years old and has completed her schooling. She fell victim to an agent and entered the U.S. illegally, which led to her deportation.

What Punjab Minister Said

On Tuesday, Punjab NRI Affairs Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal said the state government would support those who were being deported by the US. “I want to convey a message to these Punjabis that the government is with them. I will take it up with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann in the Cabinet meeting on February 10 that we should take it up with the banks to waive off the interest of those who took loans to go to the US”.

India Raised Concerns With US

Responding to concerns over the condition of illegal Indian immigrants who were deported, the MEA said that the “the issue of mistreatment” was “valid”.

“….We continue to emphasise to US authorities that there should be no mistreatment of deportees,” Misri said, adding that the MEA will continue to take up any such instances that are brought to its’s attention.
During a briefing on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to the United States, Misri stated that India had already expressed its concerns regarding the deportations to the US. However, he noted that the US had informed the MEA about the standard operating procedures for using restraints, which have been in place for a long time.