Illegal Indian immigrants are expelled from expensive military planes. Here is why - Firstpost

Donald Trump promised to carry out the greatest deportation of illegal immigrants in the history of the United States, and his administration does not lose.

As part of this radical repression, several planes carrying deported migrants are on the way to their country of origin, including India.

One of the first expulsion flights under
Trump’s new term is an American military plane carrying 205 illegal Indian nationals, mainly Gujarat and Punjab. According to India todayThe C-17 army plane took off from San Antonio, Texas, around 3 am on February 4, heading for Amritsar, Punjab.

What distinguishes this expulsion is not only the figures – is the use of military aircraft. These aircraft, generally reserved for war areas and help in the event of a disaster, are now deployed for the application of immigration, costing American taxpayers “five times more than one first -class note”, reported Reuters.

So why then does the Trump administration use military planes? How much does it cost to expel each immigrant? Here is a more in -depth examination of the figures.

Expensive price

The United States generally deports illegal immigrants using commercial charter flights that resemble regular passenger planes, exploited by American immigration and customs application (ICE). However, this time, massive military planes, two C-17 and two C-130s are deployed for expulsion.

Unlike ice charters, these military flights are delivered with an amazing price. According to ReutersA recent 10 -hour military expulsion flight to Guatemala “probably costs at least $ 4,675 (Rs. 4.07 Lakh) per migrant … which represents more than five times the cost of $ 853 of a first class ticket one -way on American Airlines ”for it for the for for for for the for the for the for the for the for for for the for the for the for the for the for the for the for the for the for the for the for the for the for the for the for the for the for the for the for the for the for the for The for it for it for the for for for the for the for the for for the for the for the price of $ 853. Same route.

In comparison, ice expulsion flights are much cheaper. About Reuters“… The acting director of the ice, Tae Johnson, told legislators during a budgetary hearing of April 2023 that the expulsion flights cost $ 17,000 (approximately 15 Lakh rupees) per flight hour for 135 deported and generally lasted five hours. “

This “would result in a cost of $ 630 (out of 54,000 rupees) per person, assuming the charter company and not on the ice, pays the cost of the return flight”.

An American official estimated that the operation of a C-17 military transport plane costs $ 28,500 (Rs 24 Lakh) per hour. And the flight to India is the longest to date, which lasts more than 12 hours.

**The C-17 plane is used to expel illegal migrants from the United States. File photo / Reuters**

Asked about the fees of the mission, said an American defense official Cnn, that the soldiers did not start to calculate the total expenses and that the officials “evolve as quickly as possible with little cost” after Trump declared a
national emergency.

According to information, military planes also stolen in countries in Latin America, including Guatemala, Peru, Honduras and Ecuador. However, not all countries welcome these flights.

Colombia Flat-out refused to let an American military plane transport deportees land and rather sent its own planes to collect migrants after a dead end with Trump.
Mexico shared the same feeling, President Claudia Sheinbaum declaring: “They can act inside their borders. Regarding Mexico, we defend our sovereignty and seek dialogue in order to coordinate. »»

So why does Trump use military planes?

For many, Trump is working on speech.

The American president has repeatedly called illegal immigrants as “foreigners” and “criminals” who have “invaded” America. The visuals of chained and handcuffed migrants being loaded in military planes, Trump seems to send a hard message to these “crimes”.

Recently, speaking at a republican event, Trump said: “For the first time in history, we locate and charge illegal foreigners in military planes and returning them to the places from which they came … We are respected again, after years of laughing with us as if we were stupid people.

Since his return to the White House, Trump has taken aggressive measures to limit illegal immigration. He declared an emergency, deployed 1,500 troops in active service, including the Marines, on the southern border, and ordered the Pentagon to move funds to cover what the retirement general Glen Vanherck described as “missions high unexpected priority ”.

On January 24, the White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, published images of handcuffed migrants tied together and heading for a military plane on X, writing: “Deportation flights began. President Trump sends a strong and clear message to the whole world: if you illegally enter the United States of America, you will risk serious consequences. »»

More than 20,000 Indians on the verge of expulsion?

According to a report of The Indian ExpressIn November 2024, 20,407 “undocumented” Indians faced expulsion procedures in the United States. These people are either under “final dismissal orders”, or currently detained in ice facilities.

Of this total, 17,940 Indians are not in detention but have received final dismissal orders, which means that their expulsion is imminent. Meanwhile, 2,467 Indians are held in ice detention centers under application and dismissal operations (ERO).

This makes Indians the fourth nationality of ice custody and the largest group among Asians. Overall, the ice owned more than 37,000 non-citizens from various countries in November 2024.

The Indian government has clearly indicated that it was willing to accept the expenses expelled from the United States, provided that its citizenship is verified.

“Illegal immigration is often linked to other illegal activities. It is neither desirable nor beneficial for our reputation. If one of our citizens is in the United States illegally and we check their citizenship, we are open to their legal return to India ”, Minister of Affairs
S Jaishankar transmitted this position to the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at a meeting last month.

Trump following his
telephone conversation Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 27 said India was fully aboard these deportations, saying that India “will do what is good” concerning the return of illegal immigrants.

Prime Minister Modi should also visit the United States for a two-day trip from February 12, where he would have talks with the American president.

With the contribution of agencies