India’s Foreign Minister, S. Jaishankar, has affirmed that India is actively engaging with the United States to ensure that deported Indian nationals are treated humanely during flights, while emphasizing the country’s commitment to dismantling the illegal migration networks.
Updating the Rajya Sabha (India’s Upper House) on the deportation of 104 Indian nationals from the United States to Amritsar, Punjab, on February 5, 2025, Minister Jaishankar stated, “We are, of course, engaging the U.S. government to ensure that the returning deportations are not mistreated in any manner during the flight.”
At the briefing chaired by Vice President of India, Jagdeep Dhankhar, who is also the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Minister Jaishankar stressed the importance of a “strong crackdown on the illegal migration industry,” by India while also facilitating legitimate travel. He noted that information gathered from deported individuals would aid law enforcement in taking “preventive and exemplary actions” against agents and traffickers.
Minister Jaishankar clarified that deportations from the U.S. are conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under a standard operating procedure in place since 2012. This protocol permits the use of restraints, though ICE has assured India that women and children are not restrained and that deportees receive necessary food, medical care, and other essentials.
“During toilet breaks, deportees are temporarily unrestrained if needed in that regard. This is applicable to charter civilian aircraft as well as military aircraft,” he explained, adding that the February 5th flight followed established procedures.
Highlighting the significance of legal migration in India-U.S. relations, Minister Jaishankar remarked, “People-to-people exchanges constitute the bedrock of our deepening ties with the United States.” He stressed the need to encourage legal mobility while curbing illegal migration, which often leads to “inhumane conditions,” and even fatalities.
“Moreover, those of our citizens who have been inveigled into illegal movement themselves become prey to other crimes. They are trapped into both moving and working under inhumane conditions. Members are aware that unfortunately there have even been fatalities in the course of such illegal migration. Those who have returned have also testified to their harrowing experiences,” he added.
He reiterated that all nations, including India, are obligated to repatriate their citizens found living illegally abroad, “subject to an unambiguous verification of their nationality.” He emphasized that this principle is widely recognized in international relations and “not a policy applicable to any specific country.”
He noted that process of deportation is not a “new one,” reiterating that deportation has been ongoing for several years. He also shared the details of the number of deportees from the United States since 2009.
Minister Jaishankar also underscored that deportations are not a “new one,” citing figures of deportees from the United States dating back to 2009.
2009-734; 2010-799; 2011-597; 2012-530; 2013-515; 2014-591; 2015-708; 2016-1303; 2017-1024; 2018-1180; 2019-2042; 2020-1889; 2021-805; 2022-862; 2023-617; 2024-1368; and 2025 (until February 5)-104.
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