The United States has hired a chartered flight to deport Indian nationals who were illegally staying in the country, the  Department of Homeland Security said on Friday.

The department said the initiative was taken in cooperation with the Indian government.

The deportation took place just days before the US Presidential polls.

"On October 22, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), through U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), conducted a large-frame charter removal flight to the Republic of India of Indian nationals who did not establish legal basis to remain in the United States," DHS said in a statement.

"This week’s flight demonstrates the Department’s continued commitment to pursuing sustained cooperation with the Indian government and other international partners to reduce and deter irregular migration and jointly work to counter human smuggling," the statement said.

DHS continues to enforce U.S. immigration laws and deliver tough consequences for those who enter unlawfully.

This includes swiftly returning those without a legal basis to remain in the United States, while encouraging the use of lawful pathways.

Since June 2024, when the Securing the Border Presidential Proclamation and accompanying Interim Final Rule went into effect, encounters between ports of entry along the southwest border have decreased by 55%.

Since June 2024, DHS removed or returned over 160,000 individuals and operated more than 495 international repatriation flights to more than 145 countries—including India.

“Indian nationals without a legal basis to remain in the United States are subject to swift removal, and intending migrants should not fall for the lies of smugglers who proclaim otherwise,” said Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Kristie A. Canegallo. “The Department of Homeland Security will continue to enforce our nation’s laws.”