Video screenshot of the military plane used in the deportation -- image via X
104 Indian citizens were deported from the United States on a military aircraft on February 4 as part of Donald Trump's xenophobic, anti-immigration policies and campaign. The flight, which departed from San Antonio, Texas, landed in Amritsar, Punjab. The deportees were mainly from Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Punjab and were handled in an aggressive and humiliating way having been handcuffed and chained during the very long flight.
This treatment and the use of US military aircraft is being denounced and condemned by both the Communist Party of India (CPI) and Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) who are also condemning the lack of any action on the part of the Indian government to prevent this.
The National Secretariat of the Communist Party of India issued today (February 6, 2025) the following statement:
The Communist Party of India strongly condemns the inhumane and undignified manner in which the United States administration has deported Indian citizens, blatantly undermining their basic human rights and dignity. This unjust treatment highlights a stark disregard for their dignity and well-being. The CPI urges the Government of India to immediately and firmly raise this issue with the US authorities at the highest level, ensuring such violations are addressed and never repeated.
The CPI demands that the repatriation of the remaining Indian who are victims of Donald Trump’s xenophobic and anti-immigration policies must be done utilizing India's resources, infrastructure and aircrafts to ensure that these citizens are brought back home with the respect and dignity they deserve. Further, the CPI demands exemplary action against agents who fool Indian citizens trying to move away from the grave unemployment situation at home and are falling prey to immigration frauds.
The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:
US Treatment of Deportees Unacceptable
The way the deportation of 104 Indians who had illegally entered the United States was conducted by the US authorities is deplorable and unacceptable.
These people were handcuffed with restricted mobility for a long journey in a US military aircraft.
The Modi government has shown a craven attitude by not objecting to such treatment of its citizens. Since more batches of Indians are expected to be deported, the government should ensure that they are treated in a humane and dignified manner.