Outrage in India Over US Deportation of Indians in Shackles
New Delhi, February 8, 2025 – A major political controversy has erupted after 104 Indian nationals were deported from the United States, allegedly in an inhumane manner, sparking nationwide outrage and criticism of the government’s response. The deportees, including women and children, claim they were shackled like criminals and subjected to degrading treatment during their journey back to India.
The deportation took place on February 7, with a US Air Force C-17 transport plane landing at Amritsar’s Shri Guru Ramdas Ji International Airport. The individuals had been detained in Texas before being sent back, marking the first large-scale expulsion of Indians under President Donald Trump’s renewed immigration crackdown.
‘Treated Like Criminals’: Deportees Speak Out
Many returnees described their ordeal, alleging that they were handcuffed, shackled around their waists and feet, and denied basic dignity throughout the flight.
Lovepreet, one of the deportees, recounted:
“We were handcuffed and chained like dangerous criminals. Even when we needed to use the toilet, we were not allowed to move freely. It was humiliating.”
The 104 deportees—72 men, 19 women, and 13 children—also reported being held in freezing detention centers for days before their deportation. Some broke down upon arrival, calling their treatment degrading and inhumane.
Opposition Slams Modi Government, Calls it an ‘Insult to India’
The incident has triggered a sharp political backlash, with opposition leaders demanding a strong response from the Modi government.
Himachal Pradesh Congress President Pratibha Singh condemned the treatment of Indian nationals, calling it a “national disgrace.”
“This is an absolute insult to India! The government should have ensured a dignified return for our people, just like Brazil and Colombia did for their citizens. Instead, our nationals were humiliated, and the government remained silent.”
The Indian Youth Congress, led by Uday Bhanu Chib, organized protests in Delhi, marching to Raj Bhavan to submit a memorandum against the government’s failure to protect Indian citizens abroad.
Government’s Response: ‘US Policy Since 2012’
Under mounting pressure, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar addressed the issue in Rajya Sabha, stating that the use of restraints on deportees has been a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) procedure since 2012.
“While deportation is a country’s sovereign right, we are actively engaging with US authorities to ensure our citizens are treated with dignity,” Jaishankar said, emphasizing that India is working to crack down on illegal immigration networks and improve legal migration pathways.
However, his remarks failed to quell the political storm, with opposition leaders accusing the Modi government of failing to assert India’s global standing.
Diplomatic Fallout and Rising Pressure
The deportation incident has placed the BJP-led government in a diplomatic bind, especially ahead of Prime Minister Modi’s upcoming visit to the US. Critics argue that stronger diplomatic action is required to ensure such incidents do not recur.
With elections looming, the opposition has seized on the issue, using it to question the government’s foreign policy and its ability to protect Indian citizens abroad.
As protests continue across the country, the central government faces growing pressure to take concrete action and demand accountability from the US administration. Whether it will escalate the matter diplomatically or attempt to downplay it remains to be seen.
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