Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar responded to the mounting furor over the deportation of Indian nationals by the United States on February 6. Speaking in the Rajya Sabha, the minister stressed that legal immigration should always be promoted and reiterated that it is part of the government’s job to bring back citizens who are found to be living abroad without proper documentation.

“All countries must take back their nationals if they are found to be living illegally abroad,” Jaishankar said, emphasizing India’s commitment to addressing illegal immigration cases.

Deportation Process and Concerns Over Restraints

Jaishankar has addressed some of the issues raised over the treatment meted out to deportees, particularly regarding restraint during deportation. He said that deportees, in general, were handcuffed while traveling from here, as per the SOP followed by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement authority. However, he clarified that the SOP in place since 2012 does not result in the restraint of women and children.

“The deportation by the US are organized and executed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement ( ICE) authority. The SOP of deportation by aircraft used by ICE which is effective from 2012 provides for the use of restraint. We have been informed by ICE that women and children are not restrained,” Jaishankar explained.

The minister assured that the Indian government would get in touch with US authorities to ensure the safe return of deportees with their dignity intact while traveling back to India. “…We are engaging the US government to ensure the returning deportees are not mistreated in any manner.”

Political Storm in India Over US Deportations

Jaishankar’s comments are coming at a time when a political storm is brewing in India over the deportation of more than 100 Indian nationals from the US. On February 5, a US military flight carrying 104 illegal immigrants landed in Amritsar, India. Reports soon emerged claiming that some deportees had been handcuffed and shackled throughout the journey. That led to widespread outrage among Indian political parties.

A deportee, speaking on the subject for news agency PTI, commented, “We thought we were being taken to another camp. Then a police officer told us that we were being taken to India. We were handcuffed, and our legs were chained. These were opened at Amritsar airport.”

These claims triggered strong opposition protests in both houses of the Indian Parliament. Opposition lawmakers demanded a statement from the government, accusing US authorities of treating Indian deportees inhumanely. The disruption in Parliament followed heated discussions on the matter.

Clarification on Viral Image of Cuffed Deportees

As the controversy grew, the Indian government clarified a viral photo circulating on social media that allegedly showed Indian immigrants being handcuffed during deportation. Authorities said that the picture was not of the deportation of Indian nationals but rather of Guatemalan nationals. They added that no such mistreatment happened during the deportation of Indians.

India’s Response and Diplomatic Efforts

Jaishankar also clarified that the Indian government is engaging actively with the US to ensure that the rights of Indian nationals are protected, thereby responding to political backlash. He further reiterated that the government is committed to encouraging legal immigration while ensuring the protection of its citizens abroad.

The US deportations issue has become a political storm in the midst of which there is a continuous concern over immigration policies and the treatment of migrants. The situation remains closely monitored by officials and lawmakers as both Indian and US governments are engaged in discussions.