US Deportation of Indian Migrants Sparks Outrage: Shackles, Chains, and a Political Storm

New Delhi: A recent mass deportation of 104 Indian migrants from the United States, with detainees handcuffed and shackled, has triggered a political and humanitarian outcry in India. The US Border Patrol (USBP) released a video of the deportation on social media, reinforcing a stern warning against illegal immigration. However, the harsh treatment of deportees has fueled public anger and political protests across India.

Deportation Video Sparks Controversy

USBP Chief Michael W. Banks shared the 24-second footage on X (formerly Twitter), emphasizing that the deportation mission—the farthest yet using military transport—was carried out to uphold US immigration laws. The video, featuring a C-17 military transport aircraft, depicts migrants being marched onto the plane in chains, evoking images of prisoner transfers rather than repatriation efforts.

The clip, set to dramatic music, shows shackled migrants boarding the aircraft, followed by armed US personnel taking their positions. The video concludes with the plane taxiing for takeoff, reinforcing America’s hardline stance on illegal migration.

“Treated Like Criminals”: Deportees Share Ordeal

The plane carrying 104 Indian deportees landed in Amritsar, Punjab, late Wednesday night. As migrants disembarked, their stories of trauma emerged, detailing harrowing journeys, human trafficking, and mistreatment.

• Jaspal Singh (36), from Gurdaspur, revealed that he paid ₹30 lakh to an agent who assured him legal passage to the US. Instead, he was forced onto the dangerous 'donkey route'—a perilous illegal pathway through South America.
• Harwinder Singh, from Hoshiarpur, described his grueling 45-kilometer trek through dense forests, witnessing migrants collapse and die en route. His journey took him across Qatar, Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Panama, Nicaragua, and Mexico, before he was caught by US authorities and detained.

Political Firestorm in India

The deportation and its inhumane execution have ignited a political storm in India, with opposition parties slamming the Modi government for not intervening to ensure dignified treatment of Indian citizens.

Leading the charge, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra staged protests outside Parliament, holding placards that read “Humans, Not Prisoners”. Accompanied by Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and AAP’s Malvinder Singh, they symbolically wore handcuffs and chains to condemn the dehumanizing treatment of deportees.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor acknowledged that India is obligated to accept deported nationals but criticized the use of military aircraft and shackles, calling it “unnecessary and humiliating.”

Could India Have Handled This Differently?

Amid rising tensions, critics questioned why India didn’t intervene to arrange its own repatriation flights. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra pointed out that Colombia had successfully negotiated a deal with the US, allowing deported citizens to return via Colombian military aircraft instead of being forcibly loaded onto American planes in chains.

"Why couldn’t India do the same?" she asked, urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to respond.

Government’s Response

While the Indian government has declined to disrupt scheduled proceedings in Parliament, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar addressed the issue, asserting that diplomatic channels are being explored. However, opposition leaders remain dissatisfied with the response, demanding stronger measures to ensure Indian migrants are treated with dignity.

Conclusion: A Diplomatic Challenge Ahead

This high-profile deportation case has not only sparked a human rights debate but also placed India’s diplomatic relations with the US under scrutiny. As global attention turns to India’s response, the government faces growing pressure to ensure the protection and dignity of its citizens abroad.

The larger issue of illegal immigration also remains a complex challenge, highlighting the need for stronger regulations, awareness campaigns, and safe migration pathways to prevent further such distressing incidents.