Deportation Flight Reveals Heartbreaking Journeys of Indian Sikhs: Sacrifices, Struggles, and the Quest for Hope

On the evening of February 16, a group of 112 individuals from India was sent back home on the third deportation flight from the United States, landing at the Sri Guru Ramdas Ji International Airport in Amritsar.

The journey of these deportees spanned various countries, including France, the United Kingdom, and nations in South America and the Middle East. This has highlighted troubling patterns involving agents who exploit vulnerable individuals, using a network through Mexico or Nicaragua to facilitate illegal entry into the U.S.

Among the deportees, 44 hailed from Haryana, 33 from Gujarat, 31 from Punjab, and the remainder from Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. The number of deportees from the U.S. has now reached a total of 332, following earlier flights that sent back 104 and 116 individuals on February 5 and 15, respectively.

A deeper examination of the deportees’ journeys reveals a concerning practice where agents organized travel in a manner that obscured the illegality of the route. By using major international airlines such as Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Emirates, these agents were able to present the ‘dunki’ route as a legitimate option, ultimately leading many aspirants into a deceptive situation.

Disturbingly, the second and third flights made headlines for another reason: Sikh youths returned home without their turbans, which they were compelled to remove by U.S. authorities. This act drew fierce criticism from the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbhandak Committee (SGPC) and the families of the deported individuals, as it represented a disregard for their cultural and religious identity.

Surjit Singh, father of one of the deportees, Narinder Singh, shared his painful experience. Narinder had set out for the U.S. on January 13, 2025, hopeful but unaware of the harsh realities that awaited him. The journey to the U.S. had required significant sacrifices, including the mortgaging of family land and taking on hefty debts, all in the hope that he would find prosperity.

Another deportee, 23-year-old Jatinder Singh, also faced a disheartening return. He had embarked on a journey filled with peril across the Panama jungle after being promised a different route. His father, Gurbachan Singh, expressed his devastation at seeing his son’s dreams shattered despite their sacrifices, including selling land and jewelry to fund his attempts to seek a better life abroad.

Gurbachan Singh also voiced his concerns over the government's handling of deportees. He lamented the lack of government response to their treatment and the humiliation endured by the deportees, who returned not as criminals but as individuals seeking hope. He pointed out that if opportunities existed within India, many would not feel the need to leave their homeland.

Jatinder described the grueling six-month ordeal, revealing the dangers he faced in the jungle, and shared the dehumanizing experience of being handcuffed and having his turban removed during his deportation process. The treatment he and others received stands as a reminder of the challenges faced by many who leave their homes in search of a better life, often confronted with despair rather than the hope they sought.

In these testimonies, we are reminded of our shared humanity and the struggles many face in their pursuit of a brighter future. It calls for compassion and understanding as we consider the plight of those who risk everything in hopes of finding a better life. Let us respond with love and empathy, working towards solutions that honor and respect the dignity of every individual.