Treated Like a Prisoner’: Gujarat Woman Among 104 Indians Deported from U.S.

Gujarat Woman Among 104 Indians Deported from U.S., Family Says She is Traumatized

Vadodara, February 7, 2025: A 29-year-old woman from Gujarat, Khushbu Patel, has returned to India in distress after being deported from the United States. She was among 104 Indian migrants expelled as part of the U.S. government’s strict crackdown on illegal immigration.

Her family described her painful ordeal, stating that she was handcuffed and treated like a prisoner during her forced return. She was transported on a cramped American military aircraft and arrived in Amritsar after a long 40-hour journey.

A Traumatic Journey Back Home

Khushbu’s brother, Varun Patel, shared how she has barely spoken since reaching home on Thursday morning. “She was handcuffed throughout the flight. She was treated like a criminal, and it has left her in shock,” he said.

Varun admitted that the family was aware of her plans to move to the U.S., but they were unsure about the exact route she took. He mentioned that she had reached the U.S. about 25 days ago but was detained soon after.

“We don’t know what specific visa issue caused her deportation. Only the U.S. government can clarify that. But we do know she traveled on a tourist visa,” he added.

Police and Family Reaction

After her return, local police visited her home to record her statement. Inspector Vijay Charan of the Padra police station confirmed, “She has not shared many details yet. She is still in shock and has asked for two days before making a statement.”

Khushbu’s father, Jayanti Patel, a farmer, was relieved to see his daughter back but was deeply emotional. “I was under immense stress, but now I am glad she has returned safely. Our government helped us throughout,” he said.

Khushbu, who got married last year to Parth Patel from Kalol, was reportedly planning to settle in the U.S. However, her husband’s whereabouts remain unclear. When asked, her father said, “I don’t know where my son-in-law is. I will have to ask my daughter.”

Mass Deportation Amid U.S. Crackdown

Khushbu Patel was one of 33 deportees from Gujarat, with others coming from Mehsana, Gandhinagar, Patan, Vadodara, and Kheda districts. This mass deportation comes under stricter immigration policies imposed by re-elected U.S. President Donald Trump.

Reports suggest that the deportees endured harsh conditions, being restrained throughout their flight. Upon landing in Amritsar, they faced long hours of questioning before being allowed to return to their hometowns.

Khushbu’s deportation reflects the growing uncertainty for many Indian migrants trying to enter the U.S. Her family is struggling to process the incident, while she remains in trauma due to the harsh treatment received.

As global immigration laws tighten, her story serves as a reminder of the importance of following legal migration procedures. For now, her family hopes she will recover from the distress caused by her unexpected return.

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