Kulvinder Kaur’s fears were realized when her husband, Harvinder Singh, was among 104 Indian nationals deported from the United States this week. Singh, who had made a perilous journey across jungles and seas to the US in search of a better life for his family, was returned to India after being shackled for the 40-hour flight back to Amritsar. His story mirrors the struggles of many undocumented Indians caught in the US immigration crackdown.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The sight of Indian citizens shackled and escorted onto a US military plane has sparked anger across India, with opposition leaders condemning the inhumane treatment. Rahul Gandhi and other lawmakers staged protests outside Parliament, questioning the Modi government’s silence on the issue and its cozy relationship with US President Donald Trump. The deportation is seen as part of Trump’s push to fulfill his tough immigration policies, but for the families left behind, it represents shattered dreams and financial ruin.
Singh and Kaur’s story is just one of many, as the couple had taken on substantial debt, selling their farmland and borrowing money to pay an agent who promised to get Singh into the US. Now, they face the daunting task of repaying over $55,000 in debt while trying to rebuild their lives.
Former diplomats and analysts have criticized the US for its treatment of Indian deportees, calling it unjust and unnecessary. While India has not formally protested, the country’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has promised to work with the Trump administration to ensure fair treatment of Indian nationals during deportation.
Meanwhile, the broader issue of illegal immigration from India to the US is growing, with thousands of young people from impoverished backgrounds taking dangerous routes in search of a better life. The trend is no longer confined to Punjab or Gujarat, and experts warn that deportation devastates not only individuals but entire communities, leaving many to restart their lives from scratch.
