487 more illegal Indian migrants to be deported from US soon: Government
NEW DELHI,FEB 7 : The central government on Friday announced that the authorities in the United States have identified another 487 illegal Indian migrants living in the country, who are set to be deported soon. Addressing a press conference, Foreign Secretary, Vikram Misri said that America has notified New Delhi about “487 presumed Indian nationals” who have been issued removal orders.
“We’ve been told there are 487 presumed Indian citizens with final removal orders,” Misri said.
The Foreign Secretary also indicated that these numbers could rise as more details emerge, but specific information regarding other individuals has not yet been provided by the US authorities.
The government has verified the identities of the 487 migrants currently on the deportation list.
A US military aircraft carrying 104 deported migrants landed in Amritsar on January 5, marking the first large-scale deportation under President Donald Trump’s administration as part of a crackdown against illegal immigrants.
The deportees, who had attempted to enter the United States through unauthorised means, claimed that their hands and legs were cuffed throughout the journey and that they were unshackled only after landing in Amritsar.
On the issue of “inhumane treatment” of Indian citizens deported by the US, Misri called it a “valid concern” and said that the Indian government will raise the issue with the US authorities.
“The description by the EAM of the standard operating procedure relating to the use of restraints which has been communicated to us by US authorities including the immigration and customs enforcement. EAM attracted attention to the fact that these have been in practice for a long period,” he added.
Recently, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar informed that a total of 15,668 illegal Indian immigrants have been deported to India from the US since 2009. Making a statement in Rajya Sabha over the mistreatment of deportees, Jaishankar asserted that the process of deportation has been ongoing for several years and is not new.
Jaishankar said deportations by the US are organised and executed by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) authorities and “the standard operating procedure for deportations by aircraft used by ICE 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 during transit related to food and other necessities, including possible medical emergencies are attended to,” he informed the house.
-PTI
