New Delhi:
In a recent development that has ignited widespread controversy, a US military aircraft carrying 104 Indian deportees landed in Amritsar, Punjab, on February 5, 2025. This event has highlighted the long-standing issue of Indian nationals being deported from the United States, with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar revealing that a total of 15,756 Indian immigrants have been deported since 2009.
The deportation has triggered a fierce response from Indian opposition MPs, who have criticized the government for its handling of the issue. Many of the deportees, hailing from Haryana, Gujarat, and Punjab, endured harsh conditions during their transportation, including being handcuffed and leg-shackled, sparking concerns about their treatment.
According to Minister Jaishankar, the year 2019 saw the highest number of deportations, with 2,042 Indians being sent back, followed by 1,889 in 2020. The recent batch of 104 deportees included 33 each from Haryana and Gujarat, 30 from Punjab, three each from Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, and two from Chandigarh.
These individuals had often spent significant amounts of money, sometimes obtained through loans, on promises of legal entry into the US but were instead trafficked through grueling, multi-country treks arranged by human traffickers. The harsh conditions under which they were transported, as evidenced by videos showing them handcuffed and leg-shackled, have drawn sharp criticism.
The opposition in India has vehemently criticized the government for not ensuring a humane return for its citizens. Trinamool MP Saket Gokhale questioned why India could not send a plane to bring back its citizens with dignity, citing examples of other countries like Colombia that have managed to do so.
Minister Jaishankar defended the government’s stance, explaining that deportations are organized and executed by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and have been a standard procedure since 2012. He assured that ICE ensures women and children are not restrained during deportation and that the needs of deportees, including food and medical emergencies, are attended to.
The issue highlights the broader crackdown on illegal immigration by the US, a policy that has been emphasized by the Donald Trump administration. The use of US military planes for deportations is part of this policy, which has seen a significant increase in removals of Indian nationals over the past few years.
As the debate continues in the Indian Parliament, the focus remains on ensuring that deportees are treated with dignity and that the government engages effectively with US authorities to prevent mistreatment.
