Engaging with U.S. to ensure Indian deportees are treated fairly: EAM S Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar addressed the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, discussing the recent deportation of Indian nationals by the United States.

He emphasized that it is the obligation of all countries to take back their nationals if they are found living illegally abroad and reaffirmed that the Indian government is actively engaging with U.S. authorities to ensure that deportees are not mistreated.

Speaking in Rajya Sabha.
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— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) February 6, 2025

Jaishankar explained that deportations by the U.S. are handled by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and follow a standard operating procedure (SOP) for deportation flights, which has been in place since 2012.

He noted that the SOP includes the use of restraints but clarified that women and children are not restrained. Additionally, the needs of deportees, such as food, medical emergencies, and toilet breaks, are addressed during transit.

"The needs of deportees, including during transit, related to food and other necessities, including possible medical emergencies, are attended to. During toilet breaks, deportees are temporarily unrestrained if needed in that regard," Jaishankar stated.

Jaishankar also made it clear that the procedures for the February 5, 2025, deportation flight were no different from previous deportations.

"There has been no change, I repeat, no change from past procedures for the flight undertaken by the US on 5 February 2025," Jaishankar reiterated.

The Indian government is closely monitoring the situation and is ensuring that the deportees are treated with dignity and respect.

"The US Air Force plane carrying Indian citizens who allegedly illegally migrated to the US arrived in Punjab's Amritsar on Wednesday. As many as 104 Indian nationals were onboard the plane," Jaishankar confirmed.

He highlighted that the deportation process is not new and has been ongoing for several years, with deportations from the U.S. dating back to 2009.

Jaishankar also acknowledged the negative effects of illegal migration, linking it to other illegal activities and noting that migrants can fall victim to inhuman conditions and crimes.

He said, "Illegal mobility and migration has many other associated activities also of an illegal nature. Moreover, crores of our citizens who have been invagled into illegal movement, themselves become prey to other crimes, they are trapped into both moving and working under inhuman conditions. Members are aware that unfortunately, there have even been fatalities in the course of such illegal migration."

Jaishankar stressed that the process of deportation is standard and has been ongoing for years. He presented the deportation statistics for U.S. deportations since 2009, showing fluctuating numbers, with the most recent year (2025) seeing 104 deportees. The total number of deportations from the U.S. over the years is as follows:

• 2009: 734
• 2010: 799
• 2011: 597
• 2012: 530
• 2013: 515
• 2014: 591
• 2015: 708
• 2016: 1303
• 2017: 1024
• 2018: 1180
• 2019: 2042
• 2020: 1889
• 2021: 805
• 2022: 862
• 2023: 617
• 2024: 1368
• 2025: 104

Jaishankar also reiterated that illegal migration and the human trafficking industry need to be strongly addressed. "We are engaging the US government to ensure that the returning deportees are not mistreated in any manner during the flight," he said.

The government is taking necessary preventive and exemplary actions based on information provided by deportees about the agents and others involved in illegal migration.

A U.S. Embassy spokesperson earlier remarked that the U.S. is tightening its immigration laws and rigorously enforcing its border controls. "These actions send a clear message that illegal migration is not worth the risk," the spokesperson said, further underlining the U.S. commitment to curbing illegal migration.