Illegal Indian immigrants: 104 Indians from America were sent back to India in shackles in a military plane. After questions were raised on such a barbaric action, the Indian government has given clarification.
US illegal immigrants: 104 Indians living illegally in the US were sent to India on Tuesday through a military aircraft C-17 Globemaster III. This aircraft landed at Amritsar airport. Many questions were raised about this first deportation process, especially people have started criticizing the government for the treatment of Indian citizens and the use of military aircraft. However, the Indian government has issued its statement on this attitude of America and linked it to the security of America.
Action taken under ‘National Security Operation’
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said in a press conference on this issue: This deportation process is different from earlier flights. In the American system it was called ‘National Security Operation’, perhaps that is why military aircraft were used. The Indian government said that ‘Final Removal Orders’ have been issued on 487 Indian citizens in America.
Handcuffs and shackles on feet…
The 104 Indians who returned on Tuesday were handcuffed and shackled on feet during the 24-hour long journey. Michael W. Banks, head of the US Customs and Border Protection Department (USBP), posted a 24-second video on social media, saying, “We successfully sent illegal immigrants back to India. This was the longest deportation flight ever completed by a military aircraft. A strong message was given at the end of the video: “If you cross the border illegally, you will be deported.
Trump administration’s strict policy and Indian deportation
US President Donald Trump has promised to strictly implement the policy of sending illegal immigrants back to their country. Earlier also, citizens of Guatemala, Peru and Honduras have been sent back by US military aircraft. This is also a special case for India because this deportation has happened just a week before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to America. PM Modi will visit America on 12-13 February, where he will have his first meeting with Trump.
Statement of Foreign Minister Jaishankar: Deportation of Indians from America is not new
Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar said on this issue in Parliament that America has been sending illegal immigrants back to their countries for a long time. He told that hundreds of Indians are deported from America every year. This number had increased from 530 in 2012 to more than 2,000 in 2019. Jaishankar said: We should promote legal migration and discourage illegal migration. All countries have an obligation to take back their illegal citizens. He also clarified that the US did not handcuff women and children and their needs like food and medical care were taken care of during the journey.
How much did it cost to send 104 Indians?
Indians had taken the ‘Donkey’ route to enter America and spent lakhs of rupees on this journey. But after a few months they were sent back.
C-17 Globemaster is a heavy transport military aircraft, whose operating cost is much higher than normal commercial flights. According to Reuters, the 64 migrants sent to Guatemala last week cost about $28,500 per hour (₹23.6 lakhs per hour). This flight was about 10.5 hours long. If this calculation is taken as the basis, then the US government would have spent more than ₹4 crore (Half a Million Dollars) on the 19-hour flight from San Antonio (San Antonio, Texas) to Amritsar (Amritsar).
