'Like hardcore criminals'—Deportees slam US authorities for inhumane treatment says THIS

Himachal Pradesh Congress president Pratibha Singh on Friday strongly criticized the NDA government over the alleged mistreatment of deported Indian immigrants from the US. Singh condemned the incident as an “insult to India” and accused the Centre of failing to take a firm stand on the matter.

The controversy erupted after a US military C-17 transport aircraft carried 104 illegal Indian immigrants from Texas’s San Antonio to Amritsar’s Shri Guru Ramdas Ji International Airport on Wednesday. This marked the first such large-scale deportation under the US crackdown on illegal immigration.

‘Handcuffed and shackled like criminals’—Deportees recount trauma

Several deportees shared harrowing details of their journey, alleging inhumane treatment by US authorities. Many claimed they were handcuffed and shackled throughout the flight, with restraints only being removed upon arrival in India.

"We were not allowed to move, interact, or even use the restroom without restraints. The entire journey felt like we were hardcore criminals," said Lovepreet, one of the deported immigrants. The group, which included 72 men, 19 women, and 13 children, described a distressing ordeal—from being held in freezing detention facilities to enduring a tightly monitored flight under constant surveillance.

Opposition protests against US actions and centre’s response

The shocking revelations triggered a political storm, with key opposition leaders lashing out at the Indian government for its passive response. Protests erupted outside Parliament, with opposition MPs demanding a stronger diplomatic stand against the treatment meted out to Indian citizens.

Pratibha Singh slammed the Centre’s silence, stating, "The way our people have been maltreated is unacceptable. The government should have intervened and sent its own planes for their return, just as Colombia and Brazil did for their nationals."

India’s official stance on US deportations

In response to mounting concerns, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar addressed the Rajya Sabha, clarifying that the use of restraints during deportations has been a part of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) standard operating procedures since 2012.

Jaishankar assured that India is actively engaging with US authorities to ensure that deportees are treated with dignity in the future. He further emphasized that nations are obligated to take back their citizens found living illegally abroad, following due verification.

"This is a globally accepted principle in international relations. Our focus should be on cracking down on illegal migration networks while facilitating legitimate visa processes for travelers," Jaishankar stated.