New Delhi – The Indian government confirmed today that 487 presumed Indian citizens in the United States face final removal orders, days after a controversial mass deportation of 104 Indians on a US military aircraft. The announcement comes amid political outrage over the use of shackles and restraints during the deportation process.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated, “We’ve been told there are 487 presumed Indian citizens with final removal orders.” The return of these individuals, who had attempted to enter the US illegally, has triggered a debate on diplomatic handling and migrant rights.
Military Flight Deportation Sparks Controversy
The C-17 US military aircraft, carrying the deportees, landed in Amritsar, marking the first mass deportation of Indian nationals under President Donald Trump’s administration. Reports suggest that deportees were shackled throughout the flight and were only freed upon landing in India.
Defending the use of a military aircraft, the US Embassy in India issued a statement emphasizing the need to enforce immigration laws for national security and public safety. A spokesperson stated, “It is the policy of the United States to faithfully execute immigration laws against all inadmissible and removable aliens.”
Government’s Response and Opposition Criticism
The deportation process has turned into a political flashpoint. The Opposition questioned why the Centre did not intervene to ensure a more humane return of its citizens. Critics pointed out that India had previously arranged special flights for evacuations from crisis zones.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, however, defended the government’s handling, arguing that all nations must take back their citizens found living illegally abroad. He also clarified that the deportations followed standard procedures by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), in place since 2012.
“The US operates under its immigration laws. While the use of restraints is part of ICE procedures, we have been assured that women and children were not shackled,” Jaishankar stated in Rajya Sabha. He added that India is actively engaging with US authorities to ensure that deportees are not mistreated.
New Migration Law on the Horizon
Amid the deportation crisis, the government is now considering a new migration law to regulate overseas employment and prevent illegal migration. The proposed ‘Overseas Mobility (Facilitation and Welfare) Bill, 2024’, introduced in Lok Sabha, aims to establish a structured framework for safe and legal migration.
As deportation cases rise, the Centre faces mounting pressure to protect migrant rights while ensuring legal pathways for overseas employment.
