Lagatar24 Desk
Ahmedabad: The return of 33 illegal immigrants from Gujarat after being deported from the US has left families in deep despair, with many questioning why their loved ones were sent back despite traveling on valid tourist visas.
“No Idea Why She Was Deported,” Says Brother of 29-Year-Old
Among the deportees is 29-year-old Khushbu Patel from Luna village in Vadodara, whose brother Varun expressed confusion over her sudden deportation.
“My sister was handcuffed during the deportation. She hasn’t spoken much since she returned. She had gone to the US on a tourist visa, and we have no idea why she was deported,” he said.
The deportees arrived in Ahmedabad early Thursday morning from Amritsar, their faces covered with masks, without luggage, and a few carrying small backpacks. They were immediately taken away in Gujarat Police vehiclesto their homes.
Shattered Dreams and Mounting Debts
Most of the deported Gujaratis had paid between ₹75 lakh and ₹1 crore to human smugglers, hoping to settle in the US. Instead, their American dream ended in deportation, leaving massive financial burdens on their families.
All 33 individuals were part of a larger group of 104 Indians deported under Donald Trump’s “catch and release” policy, marking one of the largest deportations of Indian migrants from the US.
18 Deported Right After Trump Took Oath
Of the 33 deported individuals from Gujarat, 18 were caught immediately after Trump assumed office.
• They landed in the US on January 19 and 20 but were immediately detained.
• All 18 are from North Gujarat, a region notorious for human smuggling operations.
• They crossed into the US via Mexico, but tightened immigration policies under Trump led to swift deportations.
“The smugglers pushed them to enter the US before Trump’s oath, fearing stricter immigration policies. But they failed to cross in time and were marked for deportation almost immediately,” a source from the human smuggling networkrevealed.
Caught Despite Seeking Asylum
The remaining 15 Gujaratis had been in the US for periods ranging from one month to four years.
• They applied for asylum, citing political persecution, but their requests were rejected.
• None were given permission to stay, resulting in forced deportation.
“It Was a Traumatic Experience” – Says Deported Migrant
Among the deportees is Jignesh Zala from Gandhinagar, who traveled to the US with his wife and twin daughters (11 years old).
“We took a long route – Delhi to Paris, Madrid to Salvador, then Mexico. After crossing the border, we were detained. We were sent back in handcuffs, both hands and legs tied. It was a traumatic experience for my entire family,” he said.
Illegal Immigration: A Rising Crisis
Gujarat’s northwestern districts have become a hub for illegal immigration, with smugglers charging crores of rupeesto facilitate entry into the US.
• The recent deportations have exposed the risks and cruel reality of illegal immigration.
• Many families are now burdened with heavy debts, having sold property and taken loans to fund these expensive, illegal journeys.
