Shackled deportees: Outrage over the treatment of Indian migrants

New Delhi, India – Kulvinder Kaur had spent weeks trying to reach her husband in the United States, growing increasingly anxious as her calls went unanswered. From her home in Hoshiarpur, Punjab, she feared the worst—was he lost, harmed, or even dead?

Her fears were confirmed when she saw the news: a new wave of deportations of undocumented Indian immigrants had begun. Among those sent back was her husband, Harvinder Singh, one of 104 Indian nationals who had entered the U.S. illegally and were now being returned amid strict immigration enforcement.

Singh, like many others, had taken a perilous journey through dangerous terrains in search of a better future. However, his return was far from humane—deportees, including women, endured a grueling 40-hour flight to India, their hands and feet shackled. The shocking images of restrained Indian nationals being led to a military aircraft sparked outrage in India, prompting protests by opposition leaders outside parliament in New Delhi.

Diplomatic Tensions and a Strategic Dilemma

The timing of these deportations has raised political questions, particularly with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to the White House just days away. Many are questioning why, despite the close ties between the Indian and U.S. governments, such degrading treatment of Indian nationals has gone unchallenged.

Experts suggest that India is treading carefully to maintain diplomatic relations, particularly in light of economic negotiations and trade discussions. The government appears reluctant to escalate tensions over immigration, choosing instead to absorb the consequences.

Meanwhile, the U.S. continues its strict immigration policies, with military flights deporting thousands of undocumented migrants. Other nations, such as Brazil, have openly protested the mistreatment of their citizens. However, India has not lodged a formal complaint about similar treatment of its nationals.

‘Inhuman and Unjustified’

Officials and analysts have expressed strong disapproval of the treatment of Indian deportees. Former Indian diplomats have described the images of shackled men and women as unprecedented and unnecessary. Despite government reassurances that deportees received food, medical attention, and humane treatment, some families report otherwise.

Khusboo Patel, a 35-year-old woman from Gujarat, was detained and deported after just one month in the U.S. Her family said she was kept in chains throughout the journey, unable to move freely. “She was treated like a criminal,” her brother said, criticizing the government’s inability to ensure a dignified return for its citizens.

Shattered Dreams and Mounting Debt

For deportees like Singh, returning home brings a new set of challenges. His family is now burdened with over $55,000 in debt—money borrowed to finance his dangerous journey to the U.S. Their farmland is gone, and with no opportunities abroad or at home, they face an uncertain future.

Sociologists note that thousands of young Indians continue to take perilous migration routes in search of better lives. However, deportation leaves them with no prospects, both abroad and in India. The trend, once confined to Punjab and Gujarat, is now spreading to other parts of the country.

For Singh and others on the deportation flight, the struggle starts anew. “They have to rebuild their lives from scratch,” an expert remarked, highlighting the devastating consequences of these forced returns.