US Deports 104 Indian Migrants: Stories of Struggle, Betrayal, and Survival

A US military plane carrying 104 undocumented Indian immigrants arrived in Amritsar on Wednesday afternoon, marking the first significant action by the Donald Trump administration against migrants since taking office. Among the deportees, there were 33 from Haryana, 33 from Gujarat, 30 from Punjab, three each from Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, and two from Chandigarh. The group consisted of 19 women and 13 minors, which included a four-year-old boy and two girls aged five and seven.The deportees, hailing from Punjab and Haryana, were transported to their hometowns in police vehicles after completing the necessary procedures.

Upon returning to his hometown, one of the deported immigrants, Jaspal Singh, shared his experience, stating, “We were handcuffed and our legs were shackled. These restraints were removed at the Amritsar airport.” He mentioned that initially, they did not realize they were being sent back to India. “We thought we were being taken to another camp. It was only when a police officer informed us that we were going to India that we understood. The handcuffs and shackles were taken off at the Amritsar airport,” he added.

Jaspal also claimed he had been misled by a travel agent who had assured him of a legal entry into the US. “I had asked the agent to send me only after securing a proper US visa. But he tricked me,” he said, noting that the arrangement with the agent cost him Rs 30 lakh.

Jaspal mentioned that he arrived in Brazil by plane in July of last year. He was told that the next part of his journey to the US would also be by air. However, he felt “cheated” by his agent, who compelled him to cross the border illegally. After spending six months in Brazil, he made the crossing into the US but was apprehended by the US Border Patrol. He recounted that he was held in custody for 11 days before being sent back home.

Earlier, Jaspal’s cousin, Jasbir Singh, stated, “We learned about his deportation through the media on Wednesday morning.”

Jaspal expressed that he was devastated by the deportation, saying, “A huge sum was spent. The money was borrowed.” Regarding the deportations, he added, “These are issues of governments. When we go abroad for work, we have big dreams for a better future for our families. Those have now been shattered.”

Deportee shares their experience of witnessing a death in the Panama jungle:

Harwinder Singh, a resident of Tahli village in Hoshiarpur, shared that he embarked on his journey to the US in August of the previous year.

He was taken through several countries, including Qatar, Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Panama, Nicaragua, and finally Mexico. From Mexico, he and others were then transported to the US.

“We crossed hills. The boat carrying me and others nearly capsized in the sea, but we managed to survive,” he recounted to reporters.

He remembered seeing one person die in the jungle of Panama and another drown at sea. Singh mentioned that his travel agent had promised him a route through Europe before arriving in Mexico. He spent ₹42 lakh on his journey to the US.

Clothes Stolen Along the ‘Donkey Route’:

A deportee from Punjab recounted his journey along the ‘donkey route’ to the US, mentioning that their clothes, valued at ₹30,000-35,000, were stolen during the trip.

He explained that they were first taken to Italy and then moved to Latin America. He described the journey as extremely challenging, involving a 15-hour boat ride followed by a 40-45 km trek.

“We crossed 17-18 hills. If anyone fell, there was no chance of survival. We saw many things, and if someone got hurt, they were left behind. We encountered dead bodies,” he stated.

‘Chained and degraded’: Congress

Earlier in the day, senior Congress leader Pawan Khera raised concerns about the Modi government, referencing images of Indian nationals in handcuffs being deported from the US. On the social media platform X, he drew a comparison to a 2013 incident during the UPA government’s tenure when Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade was handcuffed and strip-searched in the US.

In his post, Khera expressed his sadness, stating, “Looking at the pictures of Indians getting handcuffed and humiliated while being deported from the US saddens me as an Indian. I remember in December of 2013, an Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade was handcuffed and strip searched in America. Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh registered a strong protest with US Ambassador Nancy Powell.” 

He further noted that the UPA government reacted strongly to the incident, mentioning that leaders like Meira Kumar, Sushil Kumar Shinde, and Rahul Gandhi refused to meet a visiting US Congressional delegation at that time. Dr. Manmohan Singh described the US action as “deplorable,” and the Government of India withdrew several perks for the US embassy, including the importation of food and alcohol at concessional rates for embassy staff.

The Income Tax department initiated an investigation into the American Embassy school following the incident involving Devyani Khobragade, which led to US Secretary of State John Kerry expressing regret over her treatment. The US administration reached out to Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh to convey their regrets regarding the situation.

The Income Tax department has begun an investigation into the American Embassy school, following John Kerry’s expression of regret regarding the treatment of Devyani Khobragade. The US administration reached out to Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh to communicate their regrets. Meanwhile, Congress MP Manickam Tagore took to X to share a troubling image of handcuffed men being deported, stating, “It’s shocking and shameful! The way the US is deporting Indians—chained like criminals—is inhumane and unacceptable. Why is PM @narendramodi silent? Where is our self-respect? @DrSJaishankar, what actions are you taking to prevent this humiliation of our people? Speak up and act NOW!” He included the hashtag #indiansdeported to highlight the issue.