'Handcuffed and humiliated': Congress slams US deportation of Indians
What's the story
Senior Congress leader Pawan Khera has condemned the United States's treatment of deported Indian migrants.
His remarks came after images of these people surfaced.
"Looking at the pictures of Indians getting handcuffed and humiliated while being deported from the US saddens me as an Indian," he said.
A US military aircraft carrying 104 Indian nationals landed at Shri Guru Ramdas Ji International Airport in Amritsar on Wednesday afternoon.
Past incident
Khera recalls 2013 incident, India's retaliation
In a post on X, Khera drew parallels with the 2013 incident of Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade who was "handcuffed and strip-searched" in the US.
He reminded that the then United Progressive Alliance (UPA)-led government had lodged a strong protest with then-US Ambassador Nancy Powell over this treatment.
Khera said, "The UPA government retaliated sharply... Dr Manmohan Singh termed the US action 'deplorable.'"
Official response
US embassy defends deportation measures
Addressing the recent deportation reports, a US Embassy spokesperson said that while specific details cannot be disclosed, the United States is rigorously enforcing its border and immigration laws.
The spokesperson added, "These actions send a clear message: illegal migration is not worth the risk."
So far, US military planes have flown migrants to Guatemala, Peru, and Honduras. India marks the furthest destination for the flights.
Government assurance
India's MEA assures support for deported nationals
On January 24, India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said it would facilitate the return of Indian nationals overstaying or residing without proper documentation in any country.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized India's stance against illegal immigration as it has links with organized crime.
He assured India would take back nationals if their documents were verified as authentic by authorities.