USBP and partners successfully returned illegal aliens to India, marking the farthest deportation flight yet using military transport. This mission underscores our commitment to enforcing immigration laws and ensuring swift removals.
If you cross illegally, you will be removed. pic.twitter.com/WW4OWYzWOf— Chief Michael W. Banks (@USBPChief) February 5, 2025
The US Embassy in India defended the deportation, reiterating Washington’s strict stance on illegal immigration. “If you cross illegally, you will be removed,” it stated.
The operation was financed by the US military, aligning with President Donald Trump’s broader strategy of using military assets for immigration enforcement.
Also read: Stories of deportees: Parents who spent lakhs and those who didn’t know their children were in US
The deportees, primarily individuals apprehended at the US-Mexico border, were transported from San Antonio, Texas, to Amritsar, India. Many reported that they remained shackled throughout the entire journey and were only unrestrained upon landing.
Opposition leaders and human rights organisations have strongly criticised the treatment, describing it as “degrading and unnecessary.”
In India, the deportation has led to protests in Parliament, where opposition members have demanded an official response from the government. Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra staged demonstrations holding placards reading “Humans, not prisoners.”
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor acknowledged the legal basis for deportation but questioned the necessity of military aircraft and restraints, calling the approach excessive.
Also read: Why the US deportation has become a hot political issue in India
Among the deported individuals, 33 were from Haryana, 33 from Gujarat, 30 from Punjab, three from Maharashtra, three from Uttar Pradesh, and two from Chandigarh.
Several deportees described their challenging migration journeys, which often involved passage through South American countries and perilous conditions before reaching the US.
A former Indian diplomat criticised the deportation methods, stating, “These are economic migrants, not criminals.” Comparisons have also been drawn to a recent case in which Colombia rejected US deportation flights over concerns about the treatment of its citizens.
Amid the ongoing debate, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is expected to address Parliament regarding the issue. Meanwhile, the Indian government is reportedly considering new legislation, tentatively titled the ‘Overseas Mobility (Facilitation and Welfare) Bill, 2024,’ aimed at safeguarding the rights and welfare of migrant workers.
(With input from agencies)
Also read: Families of deported immigrants claim ignorance about how their kin landed in US
