Handcuffed & chained in the sky for 40 hours

104 illegal immigrants deported from US in C-17 Globemaster say not allowed to move an inch from seats throughout the long journey

- HARPREET BAJWA @Chandigarh

A video released by the American authorities on Thursday confirmed what the 104 deportees said upon landing in Amritsar the day before—that during the 40-hour flight, the US officials cuffed their hands and feet and were not allowed to move from their seats.

They were only grudgingly allowed to use the washroom but with the shackles on. They had to drag themselves to and fro. The handcuffs remained while they ate food, too.

The video the United States Customs and Border Protection (USBP) released went viral on Thursday and showed the deportees handcuffed and chained at the ankles. USBP Chief Michael W Banks shared the video on X and wrote that USBP and partners successfully returned illegal "aliens" to India, adding, "If you cross illegally, you will be removed".