External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar addressed the Rajya Sabha on Thursday (February 6), asserting that the deportation of illegal Indian migrants by the United States is not a new phenomenon but an ongoing process that has been in place for years. His remarks came amid opposition criticism regarding the treatment of deportees by US authorities.
Jaishankar, who spoke after a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, provided a detailed account of Indian nationals being repatriated due to visa violations, illegal entry, or overstaying.
Citing official data, Jaishankar informed the House that since 2009, more than 15,500 Indian nationals have been deported from the US. He underscored that deportation policies are not country-specific and that it is the responsibility of all nations to repatriate their citizens who are found to be illegally residing abroad.
“It is in our collective interest to encourage legal mobility and discourage illegal movement. It is the obligation of all countries to take back their nationals if they are found to be living illegally abroad,” Jaishankar said.
Rejecting allegations of recent changes in US deportation policy specifically targeting Indian nationals, he stated, “The process of deportation (by the US) is not new… it has been in place for years. This is not a policy applicable to only one country. Our focus should be on cracking down on illegal migration.”
Jaishankar acknowledged concerns about the treatment of deported Indian nationals and assured the House that India is engaging with the US authorities to ensure humane treatment during the repatriation process.
He clarified that women and children were not subjected to physical restraints by US officials, adding, “The needs of deportees, including food, other necessities, and possible medical emergencies, are being attended to.”
His statement came in response to viral videos posted by US Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks on X (formerly Twitter), showing Indian deportees being handcuffed, shackled, and escorted onto a US C-17 military transport aircraft. The deportees were visibly restrained before being flown to Amritsar.
The increasing use of US military assets for immigration enforcement has drawn scrutiny in recent years. The Trump administration had expanded the role of military aircraft for deportations and repurposed military bases to house migrants.
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