US hires chartered flight to deport Indians who stayed in country illegally

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has deported a group of Indian nationals, emphasizing its ongoing collaboration with the Indian government to address irregular migration. A chartered flight carrying individuals without legal authorization in the U.S. departed for India on October 22, marking one of the latest steps in the DHS's efforts to enforce immigration laws strictly.

Kristie A. Canegallo, a senior official performing the duties of the Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security, commented on the action, stating, “Indian nationals without a legal basis to remain in the United States are subject to swift removal, and intending migrants should not fall for the lies of smugglers who proclaim otherwise.”

This initiative forms part of a broader approach to reduce unlawful entry through heightened border controls and the promotion of legal immigration avenues. Following the enforcement of the Securing the Border Presidential Proclamation in June 2024, DHS has observed a 55% drop in unauthorized entries at U.S. southwest border crossings.

In fiscal year 2024 alone, DHS reported the removal or return of over 160,000 individuals and has coordinated more than 495 international repatriation flights to over 145 countries, including India. Through continuous engagement with foreign governments, DHS seeks to streamline the return of individuals without legal status while combating transnational smuggling networks that exploit vulnerable migrants.

In recent months, DHS’s removal operations have involved nationals from various countries, including Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Egypt, Mauritania, Senegal, Uzbekistan, China, and India. DHS has expanded these efforts in FY2024, marking it as a peak year for deportations since FY2010. This move aligns with DHS's goal of implementing stricter border controls and reinforcing lawful migration pathways to address illegal migration comprehensively.