US advertises 'ASMR' video showing illegal immigrants in handcuffs, shackles
What's the story
The United States has released a video of how illegal immigrants are treated before they board a deportation flight from the country.
The move to deport illegal immigrants is part of President Donald Trump's sweeping crackdown on illegal immigration.
The video, shared by the White House, shows officers putting handcuffs and chains on the deportees' legs.
Public reaction
Video sparks outrage in India
The footage was released amid an outrage in India over the purported "ill-treatment" of Indian deportees.
The 41-second clip features an officer getting a shackled man ready to board a plane.
Another shot features a man getting his handcuffs linked together and walking up a stairway to a plane.
Tesla CEO Elon Musk also retweeted the video with the caption, "Haha wow."
Twitter Post
Elon Musk's reaction to The White House's post
Haha wow 🧌🏅 https://t.co/PXFXpiGU0U
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 18, 2025
Deportee experience
Indian deportees recount ordeal
Earlier this month, three US military aircraft with 332 Indian immigrants on board landed in Amritsar.
The deportees had complained about being shackled and having limited access to washrooms and food during the flights.
Daljit Singh, an Indian deportee from Punjab, narrated his ordeal on a second US military aircraft with illegal immigrants.
Singh claimed that "our legs were chained and hands cuffed" throughout the journey.
Diplomatic response
India engages with US over deportee treatment
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar told Parliament that using restraints is part of the US's standard operating procedure (SOP) during deportations.
He assured that India is engaging with the Trump administration to prevent mistreatment of returning deportees.
Jaishankar confirmed that male deportees were handcuffed and chained but asserted that women and children were not restrained.
Political backlash
Criticism and concerns over deportee treatment
The Congress party also slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not raising the issue during his recent US visit.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann also slammed the BJP-led Centre for letting planes with immigrants land in Amritsar.
He accused them of trying to "defame Punjab as part of a conspiracy."
Mann urged youngsters to shun illegal migration and contribute to Punjab's socio-economic growth instead.