An Air Force C-17 cargo jet carrying more than 100 deported migrants arrived on Wednesday in the city of Amritsar in northern India as part of President Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration.

The flight came ahead of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Washington for talks on issues ranging from trade to defense. 

Officials said the jet’s passengers had illegally entered the U.S. over the years. Although the U.S. flight landed in the state of Punjab, local media reported the migrants were from multiple Indian states.

The deportation of Indian nationals in the U.S. surged by 400% in the past three years. The Times of India reported that 1,529 were deported in 2024, up from 292 in 2021.

Mr. Modi enjoys a close relationship with Mr. Trump, and his government has expressed a willingness to work with the U.S. on the issue. 

Last month, India’s Ministry of External Affairs said New Delhi is “firmly opposed” to illegal immigration, particularly because of its links to organized crime. 

“As part of India-U.S. migration and mobility cooperation, both sides are engaged in a process to deter illegal migration while also creating more avenues for legal migration from India to the U.S.,” said Foreign Ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal. “We are keen to continue this cooperation.”

Indian government officials said the nationality of people deported to India would be confirmed before they’re accepted.

• Mike Glenn can be reached at mglenn@washingtontimes.com.