A second batch of 116 illegal Indian immigrants, including 65 from Punjab, was deported from the United States and arrived at the Amritsar airport late on Saturday night.
Among the deportees was Daljit Singh, a resident of Kurala Kalan village in Punjab's Hoshiarpur district, who alleged that they were restrained during the journey back.
“Our legs were chained, and hands were also cuffed,” Singh told reporters in Hoshiarpur on Sunday.
Singh revealed that he had entered the US using the “donkey route,” a term for the illegal and hazardous pathway used by migrants to reach the country.
His wife, Kamalpreet Kaur, claimed that he had been deceived by a travel agent who promised legal passage but instead led him through unauthorised channels.
“A man from our village arranged for a travel agent who assured us of a direct flight to the US. However, my husband was taken through multiple countries, which made us suspicious of the process,” Kaur said.
Meanwhile, Sourav, a resident of Ferozepur in Punjab, who was recently deported from the United States, shared the ordeal he faced during his attempt to enter the country.
Recounting his experience upon reaching home, he revealed the harsh conditions and the financial toll the journey had taken on his family.
"I entered the US on January 27. We were caught by the police within 2-3 hours of crossing the border. They took us to the police station, and 2-3 hours later, we were transferred to a camp," Sourav said. He added that they remained in the camp for 15-18 days with no assistance or means to convey their grievances.
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"Two days ago, we were told that we were being shifted to another camp. When we boarded the flight, we were informed that we were being sent back to India," he recounted.
The deportation has left him and his family devastated, particularly due to the significant financial burden they undertook to facilitate his journey.
"I spent nearly Rs 45 lakhs to go there. My parents sold our land and borrowed money from relatives to fund the process. I want help from the government because all that went in vain," he appealed.
Detailing his journey, Sourav said he left India on December 17. His route spanned several countries before he reached the US border.
"First, I went to Malaysia, where I stayed for a week; then took the next flight to Mumbai, where I stayed for 10 days. From Mumbai, I went to Amsterdam, then to Panama, Tapachula, and finally to Mexico City. From Mexico City, it took us 3-4 days to cross the border," he said.
Despite cooperating with American authorities, Sourav said they were treated harshly and their appeals were ignored.
"We cooperated with the American authorities, but still, no one heard our appeals. Our hands and legs were tied," he alleged.
He also claimed that their mobile phones were confiscated during their stay at the camp, leaving them with no means to contact their families back home.
Expressing a sense of resignation, Sourav remarked, "What can I say to the US government? They did everything as per rules."
The deportees, including individuals from Haryana, Gujarat, and other states, were brought back on a C-17 aircraft which landed at the Amritsar airport at approximately 11.35 pm on Saturday.
This follows the deportation of an earlier batch of illegal immigrants on 5 February.
Also read: US Plane lands in Amritsar with 119 deportees, third batch on the way
According to sources, the fresh batch comprised 65 individuals from Punjab, 33 from Haryana, eight from Gujarat, two each from Uttar Pradesh, Goa, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan, and one each from Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.
Most of the deportees were aged between 18 and 30 years.
Following their arrival, the deportees underwent immigration and background checks before being escorted to their respective homes by police vehicles around 4.30 am on Sunday.
The Haryana government also arranged transportation for those from the state.
The deportations are part of the United States’ intensified crackdown on illegal immigrants under the Donald Trump administration.
Many deportees expressed dismay over being misled by agents who promised them better opportunities abroad.
A third plane carrying 157 additional deportees is expected to land at the Amritsar airport later on Sunday, sources indicated.
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