New Delhi [India]: Following the recent deportation of illegal Indian immigrants from the United States, Congress leader P Chidambaram raised concerns over the Central government’s handling of the issue, particularly questioning the measures being taken to prevent Indian youths from leaving the country and illegally entering foreign nations.
Chidambaram pointed out that the situation has two sides. While acknowledging that the deportees may have entered the US illegally, he emphasized the need for humanitarian treatment during deportation. “They may have entered the US illegally, but deportation should be done in a humanitarian manner. They can’t be chained along their legs and transported in a military aircraft,” he said.
He also raised the question of why young Indians attempt to enter the US illegally despite knowing the potential risks. He suggested that many leave India because they believe their conditions at home are worse. “What is the Government of India doing to ensure that Indian youths do not leave India to enter another country illegally?” he asked.
Further, Chidambaram demanded that the government take strict action against the agents who lure young people into illegal immigration. “Most of these agents are Indians who stay in India, and they facilitate illegal entry into the US. Why is the government not coming down heavily on them and stopping these agents?” he said. He also mentioned that Prime Minister Modi may raise the issue during his upcoming visit to the US on February 12.
Earlier on Thursday, opposition leaders criticized the Central government for the manner in which Indians were deported from the United States, calling it an “inhuman” process. They staged a protest outside Parliament, raising slogans and holding placards against the deportation of Indian nationals.
In response to the opposition’s criticism, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar addressed the Rajya Sabha, stating that it is the obligation of all nations to take back their nationals who are found to be residing illegally. He further assured that the Indian government is engaging with the US to ensure that deportees are treated with dignity and respect.
Jaishankar clarified that the deportations by the US are carried out by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the standard procedure for deportation flights has been in place since 2013. He confirmed that the deportation on February 5 followed the established protocol.
However, opposition MPs continued to criticize the handling of the deportation, calling it an “insult to India” and demanding immediate government intervention. Prominent leaders such as Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Akhilesh Yadav, Mallikarjun Kharge, KC Venugopal, and Dharmendra Yadav were among those who participated in the protest outside Parliament.