India Expresses Strong Concerns Over Treatment of Deportees by U.S. Authorities

The Indian government has strongly raised concerns with the United States regarding the treatment of Indian deportees on a flight that landed on February 5, 2025. The primary issues include the use of shackles, especially on women and the need for accommodations respecting religious and dietary preferences. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) conveyed these objections to U.S. authorities and emphasized the necessity of humane treatment for deportees.

Deportations of illegal immigrants are a common occurrence in global immigration enforcement. The United States has been deporting individuals who have either overstayed their visas, violated immigration laws, or entered the country illegally.

According to official data, approximately 15,668 Indian nationals have been deported from the U.S. since 2009. These deportations typically involve coordination between the governments of both nations to facilitate the legal and logistical processes required for repatriation.

In the U.S., deportations are handled by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which follows a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) established in 2012. This SOP includes the use of restraints such as handcuffs and leg irons to ensure security during transport. While the guidelines stipulate that women and minors are generally not to be shackled, the final decision lies with the flight officer in charge of the deportation mission.

The deportation flight that landed on February 5 drew widespread attention in India after reports emerged of detainees, including women, being shackled during the journey. This led to an outcry from human rights activists and politicians, who criticized the treatment as inhumane and unnecessary. In response, the MEA formally raised the issue with U.S. authorities, calling for adherence to humanitarian principles when deporting Indian nationals.

Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh informed the Lok Sabha that India had “strongly registered its concerns with the U.S. authorities on the treatment meted out to deportees, particularly with respect to the use of shackles, especially on women.” The Indian government further underscored the importance of respecting religious sensitivities, such as allowing detainees to wear religious head coverings and ensuring appropriate dietary options.

Following India?s diplomatic intervention, the U.S. authorities conveyed to the MEA that detainees on the deportation flights were not instructed to remove religious head coverings. They also confirmed that detainees did not request religious accommodations beyond vegetarian meals, which were provided.

Additionally, the U.S. assured Indian officials that no women or children were restrained on the deportation flights that landed in India on February 15 and 16, 2025. This was corroborated by Indian agencies after interviewing the deportees upon their arrival.

Parliamentary Proceedings in India

The issue was raised in the Indian Parliament, where opposition parties expressed strong discontent over the perceived mistreatment of Indian deportees. Lawmakers argued that such treatment was unacceptable and urged the government to ensure better protection for its citizens abroad.

External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar acknowledged these concerns, reiterating that the use of restraints had been a part of U.S. deportation procedures since 2012. However, he assured Parliament that the Indian government was actively engaging with its U.S. counterparts to prevent mistreatment of deported individuals in the future.

Several advocacy groups and legal experts also weighed in on the matter. Human rights activists pointed out that the use of shackles on non-violent deportees could be considered degrading and excessive. Some urged India to push for amendments to the existing deportation protocols to better safeguard the rights and dignity of Indian nationals facing deportation.

Legal Framework and Human Rights Considerations

India is not the only country that has raised concerns about the treatment of its deported nationals. Similar incidents have occurred globally, prompting international debates on the balance between immigration enforcement and human rights.

In March 2025, a U.S. district judge halted the deportation of an Indian academic, Badar Khan Suri, citing concerns over due process and potential suppression of dissent. Suri, a postdoctoral fellow at Georgetown University, was accused of having ties to Hamas, but his legal team challenged the evidence, leading to a court-ordered stay on his deportation.

In another case, Jeanette Vizguerra, an undocumented immigrant and mother of four, was detained by ICE despite previously taking refuge in churches in Colorado to avoid deportation. Her arrest sparked outrage from immigrant rights organizations, who criticized U.S. immigration policies as excessively harsh.

The use of shackles and other restraints during deportations has been criticized by various human rights organizations. The United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, also known as the Nelson Mandela Rules, state that instruments of restraint should only be used when absolutely necessary and should not cause humiliation.

While U.S. authorities argue that restraints are required for security reasons, human rights advocates believe that blanket policies mandating shackling can be excessive. Many have called for alternative methods to ensure security without compromising human dignity.

Diplomatic Engagement and Future Implications

The recent deportation controversy underscores the need for stronger diplomatic engagement between India and the United States regarding immigration and deportation policies.

Moving forward, India and the U.S. could negotiate agreements that specifically address the treatment of Indian deportees, ensuring that their rights are protected and their dignity is maintained during repatriation.

The Indian government could establish legal aid programs to assist Indian nationals facing deportation proceedings in the U.S. Engaging in dialogue with U.S. immigration authorities to advocate for revisions to the existing deportation SOP, particularly in cases involving women and non-violent individuals, could also be a step forward. Additionally, setting up a mechanism to monitor the treatment of deportees and address any reported violations would help safeguard their rights.

The deportation of 104 Indian nationals from the United States on February 5, 2025, has sparked a crucial discussion on the treatment of deportees and the responsibilities of both sending and receiving countries.

While security protocols are necessary, they should not come at the cost of human dignity and rights. Through continued diplomatic dialogue and a commitment to upholding international human rights standards, both India and the United States can work toward a more humane and just deportation process.