The United States is in the process of deporting nearly 600 Indian migrants, even as the Indian government expressed concerns over the treatment of deportees following images of individuals in shackles aboard a military flight, which sparked widespread criticism.
US Deportation of Indian Migrants: Key Details
According to sources, the US authorities had earlier issued final removal orders for 487 individuals presumed to be Indian citizens. Additionally, in a recent crackdown along the US-Mexico border, another 203 illegal migrants were detained last month.
Out of these 203 detained individuals, 104 were deported on a C-17 military aircraft that landed in Amritsar on Wednesday. Of the remaining 99, the Indian government has verified the nationality of 96 more, and they are expected to be deported soon. When combined with the 487 individuals already served with removal orders, the total number of Indians in the deportation process reaches 586.
India Raises Concerns Over Treatment of Deportees
At a media briefing, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri addressed questions regarding the use of handcuffs and shackles during deportation, stating that such treatment “can perhaps be avoided.”
“In recent conversations, when we sought details about potential returnees from the US, we have been told that there are up to 487 presumed Indian citizens with final removal orders with the US authorities,” Misri said.
India requested further details, following which the US provided particulars for 298 individuals, which are currently being reviewed by Indian authorities.
Misri emphasized that India has been “very transparent on this issue with our US counterparts” and is actively engaging with them regarding the concerns over mistreatment.
Concerns Over Shackling of Women Deportees
The Indian side also raised concerns over reports that women deportees on the recent flight were restrained. However, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) informed the Indian government that “women and children are not restrained” during deportation flights, as External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated in Parliament.
Opposition parties, including Congress, TMC, and Samajwadi Party, disrupted proceedings in Lok Sabha, criticizing the government over the issue and forcing an adjournment of the session. Several deportees, including women, also reported to the media about being shackled for nearly 40 hours during the journey, making it difficult for them to use the restroom.
US SOPs for Deportation Flights & Future Outlook
Misri reiterated that ICE’s Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for deportation flights, which have been in place since 2012, allow for the use of restraints. He also clarified that India had not previously raised objections to these procedures.
Regarding the use of a military aircraft, Misri explained that the US system classified the recent deportation flight as a “national security operation,” which could explain the use of a C-17 military plane.
When asked if additional deportation flights are expected, Misri acknowledged reports of Indian illegal immigrants across different US states but stated that details remain uncertain. However, he asserted that India will only accept deportees after verifying their nationality and rejected claims that India is “an uncooperative country.”
Highlighting the root cause of the issue, Misri described the “real cancer” as the illegal immigration networks, stating that “action needs to be taken across the system against the underlying ecosystem that thrives on promoting illegal immigration.”
