India flags ‘mistreatment’ of nationals deported from US
Days after 104 Indian nationals living illegally in the United States were deported aboard a C-17 Globemaster III military aircraft, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed that New Delhi has raised concerns with US authorities regarding the treatment of the deported individuals.
India addresses allegations of mistreatment
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri acknowledged the validity of concerns regarding the mistreatment of deportees and assured that India would continue to raise the issue with US authorities.
“On the issue of mistreatment, it is a valid issue to raise, and we continue to emphasize to US authorities that there should be no mistreatment of deportees. We will continue to take up any instances of mistreatment that come to our attention,” said Misri.
#WATCH | Delhi: On the deportation of illegal Indian immigrants from the US, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri says, “The description by the EAM of the standard operating procedure relating to the use of restraints which has been communicated to us by US authorities including the… pic.twitter.com/tx3WMJMV8q
— ANI (@ANI) February 7, 2025
The statement follows allegations by deportees who returned to India on February 5, claiming they were handcuffed, had their feet tied with chains, and were not allowed to move from their seats throughout the flight.
Misri further emphasized the need to dismantle the ecosystem that promotes illegal immigration, calling for action across the system to prevent further instances of unlawful migration.
Use of military aircraft for deportation
Responding to queries regarding the use of a military aircraft for deportation, Misri explained that the US classified the operation as a national security matter, which may have influenced the choice of transport.
“This particular deportation is somewhat different compared to earlier flights. In the US system itself, it was described as a national security operation, so maybe that’s why they used a military plane,” he said.
This was the first instance of a US military aircraft being used to deport Indian nationals under Donald Trump’s administration’s crackdown on illegal immigration.
487 Indians face final removal orders
Misri revealed that 487 presumed Indian nationals in the US have received final removal orders.
During a press briefing, he assured that the Indian government is working closely with the US authorities to facilitate the safe return of those identified as illegal immigrants.
India continues to monitor the situation and engage diplomatically to ensure that due process is followed in all deportation cases.
External Affairs Minister Jaishankar’s response
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, speaking in Rajya Sabha, stated that the deportation of Indian nationals from the US is not a new phenomenon. He shared deportation statistics dating back to 2009 and reaffirmed that all countries have a responsibility to take back their nationals if found living illegally abroad.
Jaishankar also emphasized the need to crack down on illegal migration networks, stating that the Indian government is investigating how such migration occurs.
Conclusion
The Indian government is actively addressing concerns regarding the treatment of deportees and ensuring diplomatic engagement with the US to manage ongoing deportation cases. As global immigration policies tighten, India is taking steps to curb illegal migration and provide necessary assistance to affected nationals.
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