India Addresses US Deportation of Illegal Immigrants
A US military aircraft landed in Amritsar on February 5, 2025, carrying 104 Indian nationals who had entered the United States illegally. This deportation aligns with the US administration’s broader efforts to curb illegal immigration, a policy that has been in place for years.
Government’s Response to Deportation
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar addressed the Rajya Sabha, stating, “The process of deportation (by the US) is not new… it has been there for years. This is not a policy applicable to only one country. Our focus should be on the crackdown on illegal migrants… We are engaging with the US to ensure deportees are not mistreated.”
Jaishankar emphasized that India has consistently engaged with US authorities to ensure that deported individuals are treated with dignity. He reiterated that the Indian government remains committed to cracking down on illegal migration while advocating for legal migration pathways.
Rising Deportation Numbers
Since 2009, a total of 15,756 Indian nationals have been deported from the US after being found residing illegally. The highest recorded deportations were in 2019, with 2,042 individuals sent back. In 2020, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, 1,889 Indians were deported. The numbers fluctuated in the following years, with 805 deportations in 2021 and 862 in 2022. As of February 5, 2025, 104 Indian nationals have already been deported.
Concerns Over Treatment of Deportees
Reports of individuals being handcuffed and shackled during transit have raised concerns. Addressing these issues, Jaishankar clarified that the United States’ Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has had a standard procedure in place since 2012, which allows for the use of restraints during deportation flights. He added, “We have been informed by ICE that women and children are not restrained.”
India continues to work with the US to ensure deportees are treated humanely. While deportations are not new, the government remains focused on preventing illegal migration through stricter measures while also promoting legal avenues for Indian nationals seeking to work or study abroad.
Political Reactions and Future Strategy
The opposition has raised concerns about the treatment of deported individuals and has urged the government to adopt a stronger stance in safeguarding the rights of Indian citizens abroad. Lawmakers have called for diplomatic engagement to prevent mistreatment of deportees and to ensure a more humane approach in future cases.
With illegal migration posing a significant challenge, India is expected to strengthen its policies to curb unlawful travel while expanding opportunities for legal migration. The collaboration between India and the US on immigration policies will be key to addressing these issues effectively in the coming years.
