India’s parliament was in chaos on Thursday as opposition lawmakers protested vehemently over alleged mistreatment of 104 Indian migrants deported by the US.
The group arrived in Amritsar on a US military plane on Wednesday, the first such deportation flight to India under the Trump administration’s stricter immigration policies.
Lawmakers claimed the migrants were handcuffed and chained during the 18 hour journey, setting off a heated debate on human rights and diplomatic protocol.
Deportation Flight and Allegations of Abuse
The US Department of Defense confirmed deploying an Air Force C-17 Globemaster III plane for the operation.
US Border Patrol Chief Michael W. Banks posted a video on social media showing deportees getting on the plane with leg restraints, saying the mission showed America’s commitment to “swift removals” of undocumented individuals.
But accounts from deportees told a different story.
Daler Singh, one of the returnees told Reuters his hands and legs were cuffed throughout the flight, even during meals.
Harvinder Singh, another deportee described it as “worse than hell” and said he was restrained for 40 hours without movement.
Parliamentary Row and Diplomatic Tensions
Opposition leaders disrupted the proceedings, demanding accountability for the indignity faced by Indian citizens.
Shashi Tharoor, a Congress MP, acknowledged the US had the right to deport undocumented migrants but said the use of military plane and restraints was “sudden” and “unacceptable”.
Rahul Gandhi, another Congress leader, posted a video testimony of Harvinder Singh on social media and asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure “dignity and humanity” for Indians abroad.
Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar said US officials had cited long standing protocols that permitted restraints during deportations. But he clarified that women and children on the flight were exempt from shackling.
Jaishankar said talks were on with US to prevent such mistreatment in future and promised a “tough crackdown” on human trafficking networks that facilitate illegal migration.
US justification
Over 1000 Indian nationals were deported by the US in 2024, mostly through commercial flights without any incident. US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) requires restraints for adult deportees during flights citing safety concerns of riots.
A 2018 ICE directive says restraints can be removed upon request from receiving countries before disembarkation – a practice India now wants to formalise.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended deportation flights as a deterrent to illegal immigration, in line with the administration’s overall border security agenda.
The incident has now cast a shadow over Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Washington where immigration and bilateral ties will be on top of the agenda with President Trump.