India Protests US Deportation Practices Amid Upcoming PM Visit
NEW DELHI: India has formally expressed its concerns regarding the treatment of Indian deportees arriving from the US, particularly following a recent incident where 104 Indian nationals were deported handcuffed and shackled on a military aircraft. This situation coincides with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to Washington on February 12-13, where the issue may be addressed in his first bilateral meeting with President Donald Trump.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri confirmed that the Indian government has raised objections about the mistreatment of its citizens. He explained that the deportation’s military nature was a deviation from past practices, attributing this to the Trump administration’s classification of deportations as a national security operation.
Current Deportation Status
As of now, 487 Indian nationals are facing final removal orders in the US. The Trump administration has shared details of 295 individuals with Indian authorities for verification. Recent reports indicate that 96 more Indian nationals are expected to be deported soon.
India has previously accepted over 15,000 illegal Indian migrants from the US in the last 16 years. However, the use of a military aircraft for deportation has raised concerns, especially as other countries like Mexico and Brazil have resisted similar practices due to human rights implications.
Engagement with US Authorities
Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar highlighted that deportations are managed by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under a 2012 Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) that permits restraints. India is actively engaging with US authorities to ensure that deportees are treated humanely.
Misri noted that while India was informed that military aircraft would expedite deportations, the country remains open to exploring alternative methods for future deportations. India seeks to ensure that any returning nationals are bona fide citizens and wishes to maintain a cooperative stance on the issue of illegal migration.
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