The United States’ deportation of illegal migrants, including Indian nationals, is not a new development and has been ongoing for several years, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar told the Rajya Sabha on Thursday. His statement comes amid sharp criticism from the opposition over the alleged inhumane treatment of deportees by US authorities.
US Deportation of Indians: A Long-Standing Process
Responding to concerns raised by opposition parties, Jaishankar emphasized that deportations have been happening for years, citing statistics that ranged from 530 deportations in 2012 to over 2,000 in 2019.
The process of deportation is not new and has been ongoing for several years.
EAM shares the details of deportation with the house since 2009@DrSJaishankar @MEAIndia pic.twitter.com/8r282MbNN2
— SansadTV (@sansad_tv) February 6, 2025
He asserted, “It is in our collective interest to encourage legal mobility and discourage illegal movement. It is the obligation of all countries to take back their nationals if they are found to be living illegally abroad.”
“The process of deportation by the US is, therefore, not new… it has been there for years. This is not a policy applicable to only one country. Our focus should be on cracking down on illegal migration,” Jaishankar added.
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He assured the House that India is actively engaging with the US to ensure deportees are not mistreated and that basic needs, including food and medical emergencies, are attended to. Furthermore, he clarified that US authorities had not restrained women and children.
अमेरिका से वापस लौटाए गए भारतीयों के निर्वासन की प्रक्रिया #ICE ने 2012 में शुरू की थीः #LokSabha में विदेश मंत्री @DrSJaishankar #BudgetSession2025 pic.twitter.com/MKmpECi2sl
— SansadTV (@sansad_tv) February 6, 2025
Opposition Slams Government for Inaction
Despite Jaishankar’s explanation, opposition leaders, including Trinamool MP Saket Gokhale, lashed out at the Indian government for not taking adequate steps to protect its citizens. “We are the fifth-largest economy in the world… when countries like Colombia, which don’t even figure in the top 10, can send an aircraft and bring their citizens back with dignity, what stops our government from sending an aircraft?” he questioned, referring to Colombia’s response to a similar deportation crisis.
Colombia had initially faced the same treatment from the US, with shackled deportees being flown on American military planes. In retaliation, the Colombian government refused further landings and arranged for its own Air Force planes to repatriate its citizens, prompting Washington to impose 25% tariffs in response.
Shocking Videos of Shackled Deportees Spark Outrage
A video shared by US Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks on X (formerly Twitter) showed deported Indian migrants handcuffed, shackled together, and led onto a C-17 military transport aircraft before being strapped into their seats and flown to Amritsar. Upon landing, several deportees detailed their harrowing experiences, including being handcuffed to their seats for prolonged periods and being denied toilet breaks.
ALSO READ: With 104 deported Indians onboard, US C-17 military aircraft lands in Amritsar
Among the deportees was Jaspal Singh, a 36-year-old from Punjab’s Gurdaspur, who revealed that he had paid Rs 30 lakh to an agent promising him legal passage to the US. Instead, he was trafficked through an illegal and perilous route via South America.
Political Fallout and Protests
The issue quickly escalated into a political flashpoint, with opposition leaders including Congress’ Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, and leaders from Trinamool Congress, Aam Aadmi Party, and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam staging protests. Holding placards with messages like ‘Humans, Not Prisoners,’ they condemned the US’ handling of deportees and criticized the Indian government’s passive response.
Deportations Ahead of Modi-Trump Meeting
The controversial deportations come just days before Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump are scheduled to meet in Washington, D.C. on February 12. The meeting is expected to address key issues, including immigration policies and bilateral relations between the two nations.
The US under President Trump has intensified its hardline immigration policies, deploying military aircraft for deportations and using military bases to detain illegal migrants. This move is seen as part of the Republican leader’s strong stance on immigration enforcement ahead of the upcoming US elections.
With deportation numbers rising and growing political outrage, the Indian government is under increasing pressure to act. The demand for a dignified repatriation process, similar to Colombia’s response, is gaining traction among political leaders and human rights activists. Whether the Indian government will alter its stance remains to be seen, but the treatment of deportees has undoubtedly become a pressing diplomatic and humanitarian issue.
