A video released by US Border Patrol Chief Michael W. Banks shows Indian migrants, deported for illegally crossing into the United States, boarding a C-17 military transport aircraft with their hands cuffed and legs shackled.
Banks stated that this marked the longest deportation flight conducted using military aircraft, reinforcing the US government’s commitment to enforcing immigration laws. “USBP and partners successfully returned illegal aliens to India, marking the farthest deportation flight yet using military transport. This mission underscores our commitment to enforcing immigration laws and ensuring swift removals,” he wrote on X. He also warned, “If you cross illegally, you will be removed.”
The deported migrants reported being restrained throughout the flight from San Antonio, Texas, to Amritsar, India, and were only unshackled upon arrival.
The Indian government has yet to issue an official statement regarding the deportation.
The group of 104 deported individuals comprised 33 from Haryana, 33 from Gujarat, 30 from Punjab, three from Maharashtra, three from Uttar Pradesh, and two from Chandigarh.
This deportation is part of broader efforts by US authorities to curb illegal immigration, as the Biden administration has intensified measures to address border crossings. The use of military aircraft for deportation signals a shift in policy, emphasizing stricter enforcement.
The event has sparked discussions on the treatment of deported individuals and the US immigration policy’s impact on migrants from South Asia. Some deportees expressed distress over their treatment, citing the shackling as particularly humiliating.
With increasing numbers of migrants attempting illegal crossings, US immigration enforcement continues to tighten measures, prompting concerns over human rights and diplomatic implications between Washington and New Delhi.
