India Engaging with US to Ensure Deportees Are Not Mistreated: Jaishankar

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday addressed the Rajya Sabha regarding the recent deportation of 104 Indian citizens from the United States, emphasizing that India is actively engaging with US authorities to ensure deportees are not mistreated during the repatriation process.

A C-17 heavy transport aircraft of the US military landed in Amritsar on Wednesday, carrying the deportees, including women and children. Reports emerged that many on board were handcuffed and shackled throughout the nearly 40-hour journey, triggering concerns and prompting opposition leaders to demand answers in Parliament.

India’s Response to Deportations

Jaishankar acknowledged the concerns raised but clarified that the use of restraints during deportation has been part of the standard operating procedures (SOPs) of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) since 2012.

“We are, of course, engaging with the US government to ensure that the returning deportees are not mistreated in any manner during the flight,” he said, assuring that India remains vigilant about the welfare of its nationals.

Jaishankar emphasized that it is the responsibility of all countries to take back nationals found to be living illegally abroad, following clear verification of their nationality. “This is not a policy specific to any one country, nor is it unique to India. It is a generally accepted principle in international relations,” he added.

Deportation Statistics and Trends

The Minister revealed that nearly 15,700 Indians have been deported from the US since 2009. The deportation numbers peaked in 2019 and 2020, with 2,042 and 1,889 deportees, respectively. After a brief decline in subsequent years, the figure rose again to 1,368 in 2024.

Jaishankar reiterated that the deportation process is not new and has been ongoing for several years. He clarified that ICE’s SOPs apply to both chartered civilian and military aircraft, with no changes in procedure for the February 5, 2025, deportation flight.

According to ICE, women and children are not restrained, and the needs of deportees related to food, medical emergencies, and toilet breaks are addressed during the flight.

Government’s Role and Consular Access

Jaishankar confirmed that the Indian government was informed in advance about the latest deportation flight. Authorities were involved in verifying the identity of the nationals and giving clearance for the US military aircraft to land.

Regarding consular access, Jaishankar stated that it is provided only if deported nationals request it. He added that government officials meet with every deportee upon return to understand how they migrated illegally and to develop measures to prevent future cases of illegal migration.

Opposition Questions Government’s Actions

Despite Jaishankar’s assurances, opposition members raised several concerns about the government’s handling of illegal migration and the treatment of deportees.

• Congress MP Randeep Surjewala questioned whether the government was aware that deportees were handcuffed and alleged that up to 750,000 Indians in the US have been identified as illegal immigrants facing potential deportation.
• DMK’s Tiruchi Siva sought clarification on the government’s response when informed about the deportation.
• TMC’s Saket Gokhale highlighted how the Colombian government had sent its own aircraft to bring back its nationals, implying that India could take similar proactive steps.
• AAP’s Sanjay Singh alleged that Indian deportees were mistreated even on Indian soil, claiming that some individuals from Haryana were sent home in prison vans.
• RJD’s Manoj Jha described the images of shackled deportees as “worrisome” and demanded to know how much advance notice the US had provided to India and whether action is being taken against agents facilitating illegal migration.

Focus on Tackling Illegal Migration

Jaishankar underscored the need for a strong crackdown on the illegal migration industry while simultaneously taking steps to ease visa processes for legitimate travelers.

“Illegal migration puts individuals at risk, fuels exploitation by agents, and damages the reputation of our country. We must focus on both prevention and support for our legitimate travelers,” he emphasized.

The government remains committed to addressing these challenges, with Jaishankar assuring the Rajya Sabha that all concerns raised by deportees and their families will be thoroughly investigated.

As the debate continues, attention remains focused on how India will balance diplomatic engagement with the US while safeguarding the rights and dignity of its citizens abroad.

Note: (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by our staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)