The Indian government has confirmed that it has been informed by US authorities about 487 Indian citizens who are subject to “final removal orders” from the United States. This announcement comes in the wake of a deportation involving 104 Indian illegal migrants, who were sent back to India on a US military C-17 aircraft this Wednesday, shackled and restrained for the duration of the flight.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri disclosed that these 487 individuals are presumed Indian nationals who are set to be removed from the US under final orders. This follows a mass deportation that has sparked significant political debate. The US government categorized this operation as a “national security” measure, which drew attention to the method in which the deportation was carried out, marking a stark departure from previous deportation procedures.
The deportation itself has become a lightning rod for political controversy. Opposition parties have questioned why the Indian government did not intervene in this case to ensure a more humane return of its citizens. They pointed to past instances where the government had arranged special flights to repatriate citizens from crisis zones, suggesting a potential discrepancy in how these situations are handled.
In defense, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar clarified in the Rajya Sabha that every country holds the responsibility to accept its citizens who have overstayed or entered illegally in foreign nations. He emphasized that the deportations were carried out according to established procedures by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which has been standard practice since 2012. Furthermore, he reassured the public that women and children were not restrained during the deportation process, though he acknowledged the use of shackles and restraints as part of ICE’s protocol for adult detainees.
The incident has shone a spotlight on India’s own approach to illegal immigration and the broader issue of overseas migration. Jaishankar’s comments underscored the government’s stance on promoting legal migration while curbing illegal immigration. In this context, the government has indicated that it is considering the introduction of a new law—tentatively called the “Overseas Mobility (Facilitation and Welfare) Bill, 2024″—aimed at encouraging “safe, orderly, and regular migration” for overseas employment.
This law, which stems from a recent report by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, headed by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, has the potential to reshape how India manages its overseas workforce. The bill’s focus will be on establishing a legal framework to streamline migration for employment, promoting both the welfare of migrant workers and the integrity of the migration process.
The political clash that has erupted over the deportation reflects a deeper, ongoing debate about how the Indian government should handle its relationship with both foreign countries and its migrant population. While the government’s legal obligation to accept its citizens is clear, the political narrative is complicated by the manner in which these deportations occurred and the larger question of how India can better support its citizens abroad without compromising their dignity. This episode is a reminder that managing migration in the 21st century requires a careful balance between legal frameworks, international relations, and the humane treatment of individuals.
As India contemplates new immigration policies, it will be essential for the government to maintain transparency in its actions and ensure that its citizens’ rights are safeguarded, both abroad and at home.
