"Successfully returned illegal aliens": US brutality towards deported Indians; video of immigrants in chains and shackles; uproar in Parliament

NEW DELHI: 40 hours on a military plane with shackles on their legs. They were not allowed to take off their chains even for meals or to fulfil their basic needs. India is in shock after the US deported 104 illegal Indian immigrants like criminals. Both houses of Parliament erupted in protest. Even External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s assurance that the remaining immigrants would be given a dignified return did not calm them down.

Those who arrived in Amritsar, Punjab, on Wednesday in a US C-11 military plane revealed their hellish ordeal. The US military also released a video confirming this. Most of them who paid lakhs for job visas were duped by recruiting agents. In the video posted by US Border Patrol Chief Michael W. Banks on X, it can be seen clearly that Indians were being chained and loaded onto the plane. Banks says that USBP and partners successfully returned illegal aliens to India, marking the farthest deportation flight yet using military transport.

Harwinder Singh (40), a native of Hoshiarpur, Punjab, said that he was shackled and tied with chains throughout the journey from Texas to Amritsar. "I paid Rs 42 lakh to an agent and reached the US via Qatar, Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Panama, Nicaragua and Mexico. Some of my companions died during the journey across hills, rivers and seas. They were left there," said Harwinder Singh.

Why didn't India send a plane to bring them back?

The opposition asked in Parliament why India didn't send a plane and ensure a dignified return. S Jaishankar gave an explanation in the Lok Sabha, which was adjourned twice due to the uproar, but the opposition was not satisfied. The house was then adjourned. Concerns were raised under the leadership of John Brittas and P Santosh Kumar in the Rajya Sabha. The opposition staged a walkout and protested outside. The protest was led by Rahul, Priyanka and Akhilesh Yadav, carrying placards reading 'Humans Not Prisoners'.

Will ensure a dignified return: Jaishankar

S Jaishankar said in Parliament that a dignified journey would be ensured for the Indians being repatriated after talking to the US government. "Women and children were not chained on the plane. Everyone was given food and water. Deportation in military aircraft is the procedure in practice. Strong action should be taken against illegal immigration. Otherwise, it will pave the way for related crimes."

"U.S. policy is to strictly enforce immigration laws against those who are staying illegally"

-U.S. Embassy spokesperson in Delhi