EAM Jaishankar Denies 'Mistreatment' Of Indian Deportees, Says 'It's Our Obligation To Take Them Back'

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar informed the Rajya Sabha on Thursday that the Indian nationals deported from the United States were not subjected to mistreatment.

He also clarified that there had been no deviation from past protocols regarding the flight that arrived on Wednesday.

Photo Credit: Sansad TV via PTI Photo

He further stated that the Indian government is in discussions with the Trump administration to ensure that deportees are treated fairly.

Amidst the commotion in the House, Jaishankar remarked: "There has been no change, I repeat, no change from past procedure for the flight undertaken by the US on February 5. We are of course engaging the US government to ensure that the returning deportees are not mistreated in any manner during the flight."

He elaborated that deportations in the United States are managed and executed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) authorities. "The SOP of deportation by aircraft used by ICE, which has been in effect since 2012, provides for the use of restraint. We have been informed by ICE that women and children are not restrained."

The minister also emphasised that all nations are obliged to accept the return of their citizens if they are found to be residing abroad illegally. The Lok Sabha was adjourned until 3:30 PM due to ongoing protests over the issue.

A total of 104 Indian nationals, who had entered the United States unlawfully, were deported aboard a C-17 Globemaster aircraft of the US Air Force. The aircraft landed at Amritsar Airport at 1:55 PM on Wednesday.

The deportees mainly hail from Punjab, Haryana, and Gujarat and include 19 women and 13 minors.

Jaishankar's address to the Rajya Sabha followed disruptions in both Houses of Parliament, with the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha being adjourned until noon due to protests led primarily by Congress MPs over the deportation of illegal Indian immigrants from the US.

Meanwhile, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor acknowledged that the US government has the legal right to deport individuals who entered the country illegally. However, he criticised the decision to send them back on a military aircraft.

"They (US government) have every legal right to deport people who are illegally in their country and we, if they are proven to be Indians, have an obligation to receive them, but to send them like this abruptly in a military aircraft and in handcuffs is an insult to India, it's an insult to the dignity of Indians."

Previously, a spokesperson for the US Embassy stated that the country is strictly enforcing its border and immigration laws. He stressed that these actions send a "clear message that illegal immigrant is not worth the risk."

Last month, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that it would facilitate the return of Indian nationals who are "overstaying" or residing in the US without proper documentation.