India Engages with U.S. to Ensure Fair Treatment of Deportees Amid Crackdown on Illegal Migration
Amritsar, February 6 – A U.S. military aircraft carrying 104 deported Indian nationals landed in Amritsar on Wednesday, marking the first such deportation under the Trump administration’s intensified crackdown on illegal immigration. The Indian government has since engaged with U.S. authorities to ensure deportees are not mistreated during the process, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar informed Parliament on Thursday.
Deportation and Government’s Response
Addressing the Rajya Sabha, Jaishankar stated that India has a responsibility to take back its nationals if they are found living illegally in foreign countries, provided their nationality is unambiguously verified. “This is a generally accepted principle in international relations,” he said, adding that deportations of Indian nationals from the U.S. have been ongoing for years.
According to government data, 15,668 Indian migrants have been deported from the U.S. since 2009. The number peaked in 2019 and 2020, with 2,042 and 1,889 deportations, respectively, before stabilizing at lower figures in subsequent years.
Concerns Over Treatment of Deportees
Reports emerged that the deportees, except for children, were handcuffed and shackled during the nearly 40-hour-long journey aboard the U.S. Air Force C-17 transport aircraft. Opposition leaders expressed outrage, demanding accountability from the government.
Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi called for a parliamentary discussion, stating that images of deportees in restraints were “humiliating.” Meanwhile, TMC’s Saket Gokhale questioned why India had not arranged its own flights for deported citizens, similar to Colombia’s approach.
Jaishankar assured Parliament that India was actively communicating with U.S. authorities to prevent mistreatment. “The standard operating procedure for deportation by aircraft provides for the use of restraints, but we have been informed that women and children are exempt,” he stated. He further emphasized that food, medical needs, and toilet breaks were accommodated during transit.
Crackdown on Illegal Migration
Jaishankar also stressed the importance of curbing the illegal migration industry. “Our focus should be on a strong crackdown on human trafficking networks while simultaneously facilitating legal migration for skilled workers,” he said. Law enforcement agencies have been directed to investigate agents and facilitators of illegal migration based on the deportees’ testimonies.
Bigger Diplomatic Implications
The deportation comes at a critical time, just days before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled meeting with President Donald Trump in Washington. Immigration remains a key issue in Indo-U.S. relations, with India pushing for easier visa policies for skilled professionals while the U.S. tightens its border enforcement.
The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi defended its actions, stating, “It is the policy of the United States to faithfully execute immigration laws against all inadmissible and removable aliens.”
Balancing Diplomacy and Rights
The recent deportation highlights the growing challenge of balancing diplomatic ties, human rights concerns, and immigration enforcement. While India remains committed to protecting its citizens, it also faces pressure to address the root causes of illegal migration. As both governments navigate these complex issues, the focus must remain on fair treatment, legal pathways for migration, and cracking down on exploitative trafficking networks.
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