Politics
U.S. Deports Indian Migrants on Military Aircraft Amid Stricter Immigration Policies
A U.S. military C-17 aircraft has left for India transporting a group of Indian nationals on the verge of deportation, as part of a major operational shift representing the heightened approach of the Biden administration to immigration enforcement. This is the first time that military transport assets have been used for immigration removals to India and points to the increasing use of military assets by the administration for immigration control.
Key Details of the Deportation Flight
- Aircraft Used: A C-17 military transport aircraft left San Antonio, Texas, carrying deported Indian nationals.
- Verification Process: The Indian government verified the identities of the individuals before departure.
- Flight Duration: It is planned that the aircraft will fly to India in more than 24 hours with flight schedule.
Why Is the U.S. Using Military Aircraft for Deportation?
This deportation effort is in line with the stricter approach to illegal immigration by the new administration. In the past military aircraft have been employed for expulsions to Guatemala, Peru, and Honduras 1, this is the furthest deportation flight ever implemented using military capability.
News reports indicate that military transport costs for deportations in this way to be considerably higher than commercial flights. For example, a recent deportation flight to Guatemala cost an estimated $4,675 per migrant, raising concerns about financial efficiency.
U. S.-India Diplomatic Engagement on Deportation
The question of removing Indian nationals from the United States who are in the country illegally has been the subject of continuing dialogue between United States and Indian officials. The Biden administration has asked India to repatriate its undocumented nationals, and U.S. officials hope that the Indian government will continue to cooperate on future removals.
Immigration Crackdown and Future Implications
US government’s flights of military aircraft for the purposes of deporting point to a fact that authorities will take a more oppressive stance with regards to illegal immigration. Moving forward, we can expect:
- Increased removals of Indian immigrants who are undocumented in the U.S.
- Activation of increased diplomatic talks between the United States and India concerning immigration policy.
- Further scrutiny on the cost-effectiveness of military-led deportation efforts.
This development highlights the shifting landscape of U.S. immigration policies and its impact on international relations, particularly with India.