The North American Punjabi Association (NAPA) has raised serious concerns about the growing number of young Punjabi immigrants being deported from the United States and has urged the Punjab Government to establish a rehabilitation fund to support their reintegration.
Key Issues Highlighted by NAPA:
1. Lack of Support for Deportees: Many young individuals return with shattered dreams, financial distress, and psychological trauma, with no structured support system in place.
2. Social and Economic Impact: Neglecting this issue could lead to higher unemployment, mental health crises, and even criminal activities in Punjab.
3. Need for Government Intervention: NAPA Executive Director Satnam Singh Chahal has urged the Punjab Government to allocate funds for:
Skill development programs
Employment opportunities
Mental health counseling
4. Urgency of the Situation: Reports indicate that a US military plane carrying 205 illegal immigrants from Punjab and neighboring states landed in Amritsar, highlighting the increasing rate of deportations.
Why Is This Happening?
With Donald Trump’s administration cracking down on illegal immigration, many Punjabis who entered the US through “donkey routes” (human smuggling networks) are now being deported. These individuals often spend lakhs of rupees to reach the US but find themselves returning empty-handed and in distress.
Call for Action
NAPA is urging policymakers to collaborate with organizations like them to formulate a comprehensive strategy for the rehabilitation of deported youth. They warn that failure to act now could have severe consequences for Punjab’s society, economy, and future generations.
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Source: LIIE IMMIGRATION
