THE GOAN | MELBOURNE
Three Goans deported from the United States landed in Goa on Friday morning, after being part of a group of nearly 150 illegal immigrants repatriated by US authorities this week.
The three Goans were placed on an Air India flight that took off from Alexandria in Louisiana, before being routed via California, Kolkata, and New Delhi.
On arrival in the capital, the Goa NRI Commissioner’s office arranged their accommodation at the Goa Sadan and later facilitated their onward travel to Goa.
One of the deportees, a youth from Quepem, faced difficulties at the New Delhi airport when immigration officials confiscated his passport.
Goa’s Commissioner for NRI Affairs Narendra Sawaikar then personally contacted the officials concerned late Thursday night to ensure the youth did not face further hardship with his travel documents.
Sources informed that since the US government began deporting illegal immigrants, nearly 20 Goans have returned to the State.
Faster Passport Services
Meanwhile, in a separate development, NRI Commissioner Sawaikar has written to External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar, seeking urgent intervention to address passport-related challenges faced by Goan NRIs in the United States.
In his letter, Sawaikar highlighted that many Goans are looking to return home due to the prevailing situation in the US, but some are unable to travel because of expired or invalid Indian passports.
Sawaikar has appealed to the Indian Missions, particularly the Consulate General in Houston, to fast-track the process of re-issuing passports and issuing Emergency Certificates.
“This intervention will go a long way in boosting the confidence of our Goan diaspora, as it will demonstrate the Government of India’s commitment to their welfare at a critical juncture,” the Commissioner stated.
This has been a key issue, especially since Goa has one of the largest overseas communities in India, with a significant number based in the US.
