In a fraught scenario unfolding between India and the United States, the deportation of undocumented Indian immigrants has sparked a significant outcry. As of 2022, India ranked third, after Mexico and El Salvador, with approximately 725,000 undocumented immigrants residing in the US. Recently, the deportation of 104 Indians, including several children, has intensified this issue. The visuals of Indian citizens shackled in chains while being herded towards a US military aircraft have ignited anger and protests back home.
The deportation practices adopted by US authorities have not only involved sending at least six planeloads of immigrants to Latin America but have also drawn sharp criticism from various quarters. In 2022 alone, 1,368 undocumented Indian immigrants were deported. The use of restraints during deportation has been a part of procedures since 2012. However, recent incidents have underscored the gravity of the situation.
Khusboo Patel, a 35-year-old from Gujarat, along with her husband Harvinder Singh, 40, were among those deported. Khusboo was shackled throughout her entire journey back to India, strictly restricted to her seat for the 40-hour flight. Her husband, who had made a perilous journey through jungles and rivers to reach the US in search of a better life for his family, had his hands and legs cuffed during the journey back.
“She was shackled in chains her whole journey, strictly restricted to her seat,” – Varun Patel
The family incurred a debt exceeding $55,000 to pay agents for Singh's entry into the US. His wife, Varun Patel, expressed their ordeal, stating they were unaware of Khusboo's whereabouts during the deportation process.
“We were not aware of her whereabouts and it made us anxious,” – Varun Patel
The US authorities' rigid procedures have incited protests from countries like Brazil, whose nationals were similarly treated during deportation. The government of Brazil denounced the "degrading treatment of passengers on the flight," where they were chained and handcuffed.
“Handcuffing and those kinds of things are inhuman essentially. They have shown a very crass side of the American establishment,” – Anil Trigunayat
In India, opposition leaders such as Rahul Gandhi from the Congress Party staged protests outside the parliament in New Delhi. The demonstrators wore handcuffs to symbolize their disapproval of the treatment meted out to Indian deportees. In response to the uproar, Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar reassured parliament that efforts were being made to ensure Indian citizens are not mistreated during deportations.
“In order to make Trump happy, who is transactional by nature, India does not want to raise the stakes too much [on the immigration issue] and is absorbing the costs,” – Pant
Jaishankar acknowledged that there has been no change in procedure concerning the use of restraints since past administrations. This admission did little to quell public outrage as images of shackled Indians continued to circulate widely.
“If you cross illegally, you will be removed.” – Michael Banks
For families like that of Harvinder Singh and Khusboo Patel, the consequences have been devastating. Singh's wife, Kulvinder Kaur, expressed her fears regarding his well-being during his arduous journey to the US.
“I was really afraid about what might have happened to him – if he was robbed or killed there. He is father of my children and I was afraid if I would ever see him again,” – Kulvinder Kaur
The plight of these deportees highlights broader challenges surrounding immigration policies and enforcement practices. The deported individuals face uncertain futures as their attempts to secure better prospects abroad have now been thwarted.
“With deportation, they have finished their career at both, home and abroad,” – Vinod Kumar
