Jaishankar says deportation not new, assures engagement with US to prevent mistreatment

DEPORTEES IN SHACKLES

- SIMONTINI BHATTACHARJEE

NEW DELHI: The process of deportation is not new and has been ongoing for several years, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Thursday. He added that the government is engaging with the United States to ensure that deported Indians are not mistreated during the process.

Jaishankar's statement in the Rajya Sabha came amid mounting criticism from Opposition parties regarding the treatment of 104 illegal Indian immigrants deported from the US. The deportees, who arrived in Amritsar on Wednesday aboard a US military aircraft, alleged they were shackled during the journey.

He emphasized the need to focus on dismantling the illegal migration network while also streamlining visas for legitimate travellers.

As criticism in India intensified, the US Border Patrol (USBP) released a video on X (formerly Twitter) showing the deportation process. USBP Chief Michael W Banks posted a 24-second clip showing deportees being led into the aircraft. The accompanying statement read: "successfully returned illegal aliens to India, marking the farthest deportation flight yet using military transport. This mission underscores our commitment to enforcing immigration laws."

A warning followed: "If you cross illegally, you will be removed."

The video, filmed at night, showed the rear door of a C-17 transport plane opening, a large cargo pallet being loaded, and a long line of deportees boarding the aircraft. Shackles were visible on their legs, restricting movement to a shuffled walk. After they were seated, US personnel boarded before the aircraft took off.