- Jaishankar flags concerns over treatment of returnees
- India continues to coordinate with US authorities to ensure due process and humane treatment for all returnees, while strengthening domestic mechanisms to curb human trafficking
India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar informed Parliament that the United States has deported 18,822 Indian nationals since 2009, including 3,258 individuals in 2025 alone. The figures, presented in the Rajya Sabha, shed light on the scale of irregular migration and the challenges Indian authorities face in tackling human trafficking networks.
Jaishankar stated that of the deportees in 2025, about 62% travelled on commercial flights, while nearly 38% were transported via US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or Customs and Border Protection (CBP) chartered flights. The minister said the Indian government has repeatedly raised concerns with American authorities about the treatment of deportees, especially the use of shackles during transportation.
He noted that while US agencies maintain that restraints are necessary for flight safety — and generally avoid shackling women and minors — India has pushed for more humane practices. The minister cited the case of 73-year-old Harjit Kaur, who, though not shackled, reported mistreatment during detention, prompting India to formally raise the issue with the US Embassy.
- Alongside deportation patterns, Jaishankar highlighted the growing involvement of law enforcement agencies in tackling trafficking and illegal migration
- The National Investigation Agency (NIA), which set up a dedicated anti-human trafficking division, has registered 27 cases, made 169 arrests, and filed charges against 132 individuals
- States like Punjab and Haryana continue to report high numbers of cases linked to illegal immigration rackets
Punjab, in particular, has established an SIT and filed 25 FIRs against illegal travel agents, arresting 16 individuals. Haryana reported over 2,300 cases under various provisions, with 44 FIRs and 27 arrests. Gujarat also arrested a major trafficker recently.
The minister underlined that some deportation flights include individuals wanted in India for serious crimes, such as terrorism or extortion. High-profile fugitives like Lakhwinder Singh and Anmol Bishnoi were among those returned through these operations.
The government maintains that every deportee is interviewed upon arrival, and cases are opened based on evidence and testimonies. Investigations are ongoing against multiple illegal agents and trafficking syndicates that operate transnationally.
