‘We were handcuffed and in shackles’: Indian immigrant deported by US | India News

NEW DELHI: The US military plane carrying 104 illegal Indian immigrants landed in Amritsar on Wednesday afternoon, marking the Donald Trump-administration’s first crackdown on the country’s migrants after assuming office.
The deportees from Punjab and Haryana were taken to their respective hometowns in police vehicles after completion of all formalities.
After reaching his home town, one of the deported Indian immigrants, Jaspal Singh said, “We were handcuffed and legs were chained. These were opened at the Amritsar airport.”
He recounted that, at first, they were unaware they were being taken to India. “We thought we were being taken to another camp. Then a police officer told us that we were being taken to India. We were handcuffed and our legs were chained. The handcuffs and chains were taken off at the Amritsar airport,” he added.
He also claimed he was deceived by a travel agent who had promised him legal entry into the US. “I had asked the agent to send me after getting a proper US visa. But he deceived me,” he said, adding that the deal with the agent was finalised at Rs 30 lakh.
Jaspal claimed that he reached Brazil by air in July last year. He said he was promised that the next leg of journey, to the US, would be by air too. However, he was “cheated” by his agent, who forced him to cross the border illegally.
After staying for six months in Brazil, he crossed the border to the US, but was arrested by the US Border Patrol. He was kept there in custody for 11 days and then sent back home, said Jaspal.
Earlier, Jaspal’s cousin Jasbir Singh said, “We came to know about his deportation through the media on Wednesday morning”.
Jaspal said he was shattered with deportation. “A huge sum was spent. The money was borrowed.”
About the deportations, he said, “These are issues of governments. When we go abroad for work, we have big dreams for a better future for our families. Those have now been shattered.”
Handcuffed and humiliated’: Congress
Earlier in the day, senior Congress leader Pawan Khera questioned Modi government citing images of Indian nationals in handcuffs facing deportation from the US
On the social media platform X, Khera drew parallels to a 2013 incident during the UPA government’s tenure, when Indian diplomat Devyani Kobragade faced handcuffing and strip-searching in the US.
His X post read, “Looking at the pictures of Indians getting handcuffed and humiliated while being deported from the US saddens me as an Indian. I remember in December of 2013, an Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade was handcuffed and strip searched in America. Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh registered a strong protest with US Ambassador Nancy Powell.”
“The UPA govt retaliated sharply. Leaders like Ms Meira Kumar, Sushil Kumar Shinde & Rahul Gandhi refused to meet the US Congressional delegation (George Holding, Pete Olson, David Schweikert, Rob Woodalland Madeleine Bordallo) that was visiting India at that time. Dr Manmohan Singh termed the US action ‘deplorable’. Govt of India withdrew several perks given to the US embassy, including imports of food and alcohol at concessional rates by embassy staff. Income Tax department started investigating the American Embassy school John Kerry expressed regrets at the treatment given to Devyani Khobragade. US administration called up foreign secretary Sujatha Singh to convey the regrets of the USA,” he added.
Congress MP Manickam Tagore also took to X and posted a picture which showed handcuffed men walking. He stated, “Shocking & shameful! The way the US is deporting Indians–chained like criminals–is inhumane & unacceptable. Why is PM @narendramodi silent? Where is self-respect? @DrSJaishankar, what are you doing to stop this humiliation of our people? Speak up & act NOW! #indiansdeported.”