External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar informed Parliament that the deportation of illegal migrants was not a new development and that the use of restraints on deportees was part of “standard operating procedure.”
The Trump administration’s treatment of foreign nationals and its aggressive deportation policies have drawn widespread criticism, not only within the United States but across the globe. Recent reports of over 100 Indian migrants being deported in handcuffs and ankle chains on a U.S. military plane have triggered outrage in India, disrupting parliamentary proceedings. This disturbing incident highlights the Trump administration’s contemptuous disregard for the dignity and rights of immigrants.
The use of an Air Force C-17 plane for the deportation flight exemplifies the administration’s wasteful and punitive approach. Experts have noted that military flights can cost up to three times more than civilian ones. By conservative estimates, the flight—including the return journey to the U.S.—would cost taxpayers over $1 million. This amounts to more than $10,000 per detainee. In stark contrast, a one-way commercial ticket from San Francisco to New Delhi costs approximately $500 in economy class.
Beyond the financial waste, the decision to use a military aircraft signals an alarming attempt to brand immigrants as security threats. Deportation is a routine process that can be handled through commercial airlines, making this display of brute force entirely unnecessary and indicative of the administration’s vindictive mindset.
Since Trump assumed office in 2017, his administration has relentlessly pursued deportations under the guise of protecting American jobs and national security. According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, deportation orders have been issued to 1.4 million immigrants without legal status. This includes Indians, Pakistanis, and individuals from Latin American countries.
India, which has the second-largest immigrant population in the U.S. at 5.4 million, has seen a sharp increase in deportations during Trump’s presidency. Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar informed the Rajya Sabha that 15,668 illegal Indian immigrants have been deported from the U.S. since 2009. Deportation figures show a steady rise, with 734 deported in 2009 and 799 in 2010. By 2016, the number had risen to 1,303. Under Trump, deportations surged dramatically, with 2,042 Indians deported in 2019 alone—the highest number recorded in a decade.
Pakistani immigrants have also faced harsh measures. In California alone, fewer than 10 Pakistanis were arrested for being illegal immigrants. Despite their smaller numbers compared to Indians, the humiliation and disregard for their dignity remain the same.
Deportations targeting Latin American immigrants have been particularly severe. Trump frequently vilified immigrants from Mexico and Central American countries, often making disparaging remarks. In one infamous statement during his presidential campaign, Trump said, “They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists.” Such rhetoric fueled xenophobic sentiments and emboldened aggressive deportation policies.
The Handcuffing of Indian Migrants: A New Low
The decision to deport 104 Indian migrants in handcuffs and ankle chains has sparked outrage in India. Rahul Gandhi, a prominent opposition leader, criticized the Trump administration’s actions, urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take a strong stance. “Listen to this man’s pain,” Gandhi posted on social media, referring to one of the deported migrants. “Indians deserve dignity and humanity, not handcuffs.”
This treatment contravenes international norms and human rights principles. Deportees, unless they pose a proven security threat, should never be treated as criminals. These individuals, often driven by desperation and economic hardship, deserve humane treatment, not humiliation.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar acknowledged the government’s concern over the incident, promising to engage diplomatically with U.S. authorities to ensure better treatment for Indian nationals.
Trump’s aggressive deportation policies have strained diplomatic relations with countries that are vital to U.S. interests. India, a key strategic ally in South Asia, has expressed dissatisfaction with the degrading treatment of its nationals. Pakistani officials have also voiced concerns over the detention and deportation of their citizens, though their protests have been more subdued.
Latin American leaders, particularly from Mexico, Guatemala, and El Salvador, have been vocal in their criticism of Trump’s immigration policies. Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador condemned the separation of families at the U.S.-Mexico border and the deportation of thousands of Mexicans. “We will always defend the dignity and rights of our people,” he stated.
The optics of using military planes for deportations paint the U.S. as a nation hostile to foreigners. This is a far cry from the country’s historic identity as a beacon of hope and refuge for immigrants seeking a better life.
Numerous human rights organizations have condemned the Trump administration for its inhumane deportation practices. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have called out the use of excessive force and the dehumanization of deportees.
Opposition lawmakers in India have demanded accountability from both the U.S. and Indian governments. In parliament, protests erupted as lawmakers criticized the Indian government for failing to protect its citizens from such degrading treatment.
Trump’s grand plan to curb illegal immigration includes building a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border, instituting a travel ban targeting predominantly Muslim countries and increasing deportations. However, this approach has proven both morally and practically flawed.
The focus on mass deportations disregards the contributions of undocumented immigrants to the U.S. economy. According to the Center for American Progress, undocumented immigrants pay billions in taxes each year and fill critical roles in industries such as agriculture, construction, and healthcare.
Moreover, the fear instilled by aggressive deportation tactics has discouraged immigrants from reporting crimes or seeking medical care, undermining public safety and community health.
The U.S. must adopt a more humane and pragmatic approach to immigration. This includes providing a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who have lived in the country for years, contributing to its economy and society.
Deportation should be reserved for individuals who pose genuine security threats, not those seeking a better life. The use of military aircraft and the shackling of deportees are unnecessary and counterproductive measures that only serve to tarnish America’s image on the global stage.
The Trump administration’s treatment of foreign nationals represents a dark chapter in U.S. history. The use of handcuffs, ankle chains, and military planes for deportations is a blatant affront to human dignity and a waste of taxpayer money.
The international community, human rights organizations, and American citizens must hold the U.S. government accountable for these inhumane practices. Moving forward, the U.S. must reimagine its immigration policy, grounded in compassion, dignity and practicality, to uphold its ideals as a nation that welcomes and respects all people.
As the world watches, it is imperative that future administrations take a starkly different approach, addressing past wrongs and setting a precedent for a just and inclusive immigration policy that upholds the principles of human dignity and respect.
The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect Coverpage’s editorial stance.
