Speaking to journalists, Muskan shared that she had initially gone to the UK for her studies and had traveled to the U.S. purely for tourism.
Even though the family preferred to not to open up on the issue, sources as per close to them said Muskan cleared IELTS, after which she went to the UK on a study visa. After staying there for a couple of months, Muskan informed the family that she was relocating to the US.
However, she was arrested by California police upon arrival. Though she was treated well during custody, she was unexpectedly deported without being given a chance to explain her visit. She emphasized that visiting the U.S. for tourism is legally permitted, yet she was sent back without any inquiry or clarification.
Muskan, 21, a resident of Jagraon town in Ludhiana district had moved to the United Kingdom on a study visa last year. But her attempt to enter the US failed and she was among the 104 Indians deported on a special military flight that landed in Amritsar airport
Her father also spoke to reporters, revealing that he has four daughters and that Muskan is the eldest. He said they had sent her abroad for studies with great difficulty and financial sacrifice. He urged the government to take steps to secure the future of students like his daughter, expressing deep disappointment over the situation. According to him, their family’s hard-earned money was spent on her education, but everything is now at stake due to this unfortunate incident.
Muskan’s father, Jagdish Kumar, who runs a small dhaba in Jagraon, said that his daughter’s phone had been switched off for nearly ten days. “We had no idea where she was. It was only around 5 pm today that we found out she had landed at Amritsar airport. We breathed a huge sigh of relief knowing that she was safe,” he said.
According to her family, Muskan had initially moved to the UK on a study visa about a year ago. “Right now, we don’t know why she attempted to migrate to the US. We don’t know the full details yet and which route she took to enter the US. Once she comes home, everything will become clear. Right now, we are just relieved she is safe,” Jagdish said.
Meanwhile, MLA Sarbjit Kaur Manuke stated that Muskan’s family had invested their entire savings in her education abroad, never expecting such an outcome. She reiterated that Muskan had traveled to the U.S. solely for tourism and was deported despite following legal procedures. The MLA called on the government to support affected families and compensate them for their losses, ensuring that such incidents do not hinder the aspirations of Indian students seeking to study