As many as
145 Indians deported from the US, mostly illegal immigrants and those who have
violated visa norms, arrived at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport on
Wednesday morning by a special flight via Bangladesh.
The flight
also has on board some South Asian nationals, including Bangladesh citizens,
airport officials aware of the matter said.
Most of
these Indians reportedly entered the US over past years with the help of local international
agents who promised them thier entry into the country through illegal means,
the officials said on condition of anonymity. Many of these Indians overstayed in
the US in violation of visa norms.
“We have
been informed the flight has some Bangladeshi and Sri Lanka nationals on board.
A majority of these deportees are expected to be aged between 20-35. All of
them have been given emergency certificates which allows them only one-way
journey from the US to India,” said one of the officials.
The
deportees were received at the terminal 3 (T3) of Delhi airport. “Their records
will be maintained and some documentation will take place. We have seen in the
past that such agents charge Rs 10-15 lakh for providing an indiviual entry
into the US. Once they are here, we will also try to track down such agents
functioning from India, the official said.
Since they
are from different states, their concerned police will be informed if anything
significant is found,” the official added.
On October
23, the US deported 117 Indians in a similar manner.