The third group of deportees from the U.S. arrives in Amritsar, Punjab

Third Group of Indian Deportees from U.S. Returns Home to Emotional Reunions in Amritsar

Eighty-seven Indian nationals deported from the United States touched down at Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport in Amritsar early this morning, marking the third such repatriation flight this year. The group, mostly from Punjab, included individuals who had overstayed visas or faced other immigration violations, ending years-long American dreams in detention centers before their forced return.  

As the weary travelers emerged from the terminal, emotional scenes unfolded outside. Family members clutched flowers and handwritten signs, their faces a mix of relief and apprehension. Harpreet Kaur stood anxiously in the crowd, finally spotting her younger brother Manjit after five years apart. "We knew the risks when he left," she said, wiping tears as she embraced him. "But at least now he's home safe with us."  

The returnees carried stories of struggle and resilience. Gurdeep Singh, a 32-year-old former construction worker from California, described sending monthly remittances to support his parents and daughter's education before being detained. "America was hard, but I made it work," he said, adjusting his small bag of belongings. "Now I need to figure out how to start over here."  

Local NGOs and Punjab government officials provided immediate assistance at the airport, offering temporary shelter, counseling services, and information about job training programs. Punjab's NRI Affairs Minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal emphasized the state's commitment to supporting returnees, though activists pointed to deeper systemic issues driving illegal migration.  

The arrivals hall gradually emptied as families departed, some heading straight to local gurdwaras to give thanks. For many deportees, the homecoming brought mixed emotions - relief at being free from detention, but uncertainty about rebuilding lives in places they once left behind. As one returnee put it while stepping into the Punjab sun: "This isn't the homecoming I imagined, but it's a chance to begin again."