The Indian Parliament experienced significant turmoil on Thursday following reports of mistreatment of migrants deported from the United States. Allegations surfaced that individuals were shackled during their deportation on an American military aircraft, which included a lengthy intercontinental journey.
On Wednesday, over 100 undocumented immigrants were returned to India. While deportations are a common occurrence, as India is a major source of unauthorized migration to the U.S., most have typically utilized commercial flights.
The deployment of a military plane and the accompanying claims of mistreatment have sparked political controversy, particularly for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is scheduled to meet President Trump in Washington shortly. Modi has previously referred to Trump as a “dear friend,” and Indian officials had anticipated that their cooperation on repatriating migrants would prevent the diplomatic tensions seen in other countries.
Much of the outrage in India stemmed from local media reports citing accounts from deportees, who claimed they were shackled for over 40 hours with limited access to toilets. A video released by U.S. Customs and Border Protection depicted deportees boarding the plane in restraints. A spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi refrained from commenting on the reports regarding the treatment of women and children.
Among the deportees was Sukhpal Singh, a 35-year-old chef from Punjab, who was arrested after entering the U.S. through Mexico in January. His father reported that Sukhpal described being handcuffed along with other adults, stating, “Everyone around him was tied — adults, both male and female were chained.”
In response to the situation, opposition lawmakers protested in Parliament, some donning handcuffs and holding signs that read “humans, not prisoners.” They demanded clarity on the number of Indians facing imminent deportation in the U.S.
Mallikarjun Kharge, president of the Indian National Congress, questioned why India did not utilize its own aircraft for the repatriation, emphasizing the need for dignity and respect in the process.
To address the growing concerns, India’s Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar informed Parliament that deportation protocols allow for the use of restraints, and he asserted that U.S. officials had confirmed that women and children were not shackled. He emphasized ongoing engagement with the U.S. government to ensure the humane treatment of deportees during flights.
Jaishankar also noted that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is responsible for the needs of deportees, including food and medical care, and that deportees are temporarily unrestrained during toilet breaks if necessary. His remarks highlighted the delicate balance the Indian government must maintain between addressing domestic discontent and demonstrating a firm stance on illegal immigration to the Trump administration.
He concluded by stating that the focus should remain on a “strong crackdown on the illegal migration industry.”