By Col R Hariharan
The recent deportation of 104 Indian illegal migrants from the United States has sparked an international outcry—not merely for the act of deportation itself, but for the brutal manner in which it was carried out. Images and reports of men handcuffed and shackled aboard a US military aircraft, transported like criminals, have fuelled criticism from human rights groups and Indian lawmakers.
The first batch of deportees, including 19 women and 13 minors, landed in Amritsar on February 5, their journey back marked by humiliation and harsh treatment. Many of them had spent between Rs 30 lakh and Rs 1 crore to undertake perilous routes through multiple countries in a desperate attempt to reach the US, only to be arrested and forcibly expelled.
The uproar reached the Indian Parliament during the Budget Session, with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar acknowledging concerns over their treatment and assuring that India is engaging with US authorities to ensure basic human dignity for deportees. “We are taking this up at the highest levels,” he said, responding to opposition demands for stronger action.
Harsh US policies under scrutiny
The crackdown is part of former President Donald Trump’s aggressive immigration policy, which he revived immediately after taking office for his second term. The US, home to an estimated 11 million illegal immigrants—including around 7,25,000 Indians—has intensified deportations, justifying them as national security measures. The latest deportation, labelled a “national security operation” by US authorities, saw deportees flown home aboard a C-17 military aircraft, a mode typically used for defense missions rather than human transport.
According to Title 8 of the US Code, unauthorized entry into the US is a criminal offense, and deportation follows as a legal consequence. However, the use of excessive restraints has raised alarms. The 2012 Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) allow for the use of restraints during deportation flights, but rights groups argue that indiscriminate shackling of non-violent migrants is degrading and unnecessary.
India’s Response and The Bigger Question
With 487 more Indian migrants facing imminent deportation, the debate over their treatment is unlikely to fade. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to raise concerns over immigration policies when he meets President Trump during his visit to the US on February 12-13. While trade and strategic ties remain key issues, the treatment of deported Indian citizens will add another layer to diplomatic discussions.
Yet, beyond the outrage over their return, a critical question looms: Why are so many Indians risking everything to migrate illegally? The answer lies in a thriving network of human traffickers operating in states like Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat, and Kerala. Exploiting desperation, these syndicates charge exorbitant sums, promising safe passage to the US and other Western nations.
If India is serious about protecting its citizens, cracking down on these illegal networks must be a priority. Preventing unsafe migration at its source is just as important as ensuring humane treatment abroad.
“Deportation is a legal process. But shackling people like criminals is an assault on human dignity.”—Amnesty International.
—The writer is a retired military intelligence specialist on South Asia associated with the Chennai Centre for China Studies
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