Indian Minister for External Affairs S Jaishankar on Thursday (February 6) addressed the Indian Parliament amid a political row triggered after the US deported over 100 illegal immigrants on a military flight a day before.
The minister
vowed to take strong and exemplary actions against what he called the illegal immigration industry in India, its agents and agencies.
He said taking back its citizens staying illegally abroad was an obligation of the government, adding that this policy was applicable to all nations globally.
The minister highlighted that such deportation exercises have taken place under previous US administrations too, stressing that over a thousand Indian illegal immigrants were deported under the Joe Biden administration in 2024.
Here’s what he said in the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian Parliament.
“Mr. Chairman, I rise to apprise the House of certain developments pertaining to deportation of Indians from the USA. Honourable Members are aware that people-to-people exchanges constitute the bedrock of our deepening ties with the United States. Indeed, more than any other relationship, mobility and migration has had a key role to play in enhancing its quality.”
“Sir, the House would also share the view of the Government that it is in our collective interest to encourage legal mobility and discourage illegal movement. In fact, illegal mobility and migration has many other associated activities also of an illegal nature. 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.”
“Mr. Chairman, Sir, it is the obligation of all countries to take back their nationals if they are found to be living illegally abroad. This is naturally subject to an unambiguous verification of their nationality. This is not a policy applicable to any specific country nor indeed one only practiced by India.”
“It is a general accepted principle in international relations.Sir, Honourable Members would be aware that the process of deportation is not a new one, I repeat not a new one, and has been ongoing for several years. I would like to share with the House details of deportation from the United States since 2009.”
“Their numbers, years wise, as available with our law enforcement authorities is as follows.
2009, number of deportees 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- 1368.2025- 104.”
“Sir, deportations by the US are organized and executed by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE, authorities. The standard operating procedure for deportation by aircraft used by ICE that is effective from 2012. I repeat, that is effective from 2012, provides for the use of restraints.”
“However, we have been informed by ICE that women and children are not restrained. Further, the needs of deportees including during transit, related to food and other necessities, including possible medical emergencies are attended to. During toilet breaks, deportees are temporarily unrestrained if needed in that regard.”
“This is applicable to chartered civilian aircraft as well as military aircraft. There has been no change, I repeat, no change from past procedure for the flight undertaken by the US on 5 February 2025. Honourable Chairman Sir, we are, of course, engaging the US Government to ensure that the returning deportees are not mistreated in any manner during the flight.”
“At the same time, the House will appreciate that our focus should be on crackdown, strong crackdown on the illegal migration industry while taking steps to ease visas for the legitimate traveller. On the basis of information provided by returning deportees about the agents and others involved, law enforcement agencies will take necessary preventive and exemplary actions. I thank you.”
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