‘We Were Handcuffed and Chained’: Indian Immigrants Deported by US Speak Out

The arrival of a U.S. military aircraft carrying 104 deported Indian nationals at Amritsar airport on Wednesday has sent shockwaves across Punjab and Haryana. For many families, the moment was filled with heartbreak and uncertainty as their loved ones returned after months or even years of struggle in the United States. The large-scale deportation, the first under the Trump administration, has sparked political debates in India, with opposition leaders calling it a moment of national humiliation.

The deportees were escorted to their respective hometowns under police supervision after completing the necessary formalities. Among them was Jaspal Singh, a resident of Punjab, who described the ordeal of being shackled like a criminal during his forced return.

Singh, visibly shaken, recounted his harrowing experience. “We were handcuffed, and our legs were chained. They only removed them after we landed in Amritsar,” he said. Initially, he and others were unaware they were being sent back to India. “We thought we were being taken to another detention facility, but then a police officer told us we were being deported,” he added.

Like many others, Singh had pinned his hopes on a better future in the U.S. He had paid Rs 30 lakh to a travel agent who promised legal entry. “I was assured of a proper U.S. visa, but I was deceived,” he lamented. His journey took him to Brazil in July last year, with the expectation that he would fly to the U.S. soon after. Instead, he was forced to undertake a dangerous overland crossing, which eventually led to his arrest by U.S. Border Patrol agents. After spending 11 days in detention, he was placed on a deportation flight.

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For Singh and many others, the deportation is more than just a return—it is a devastating financial and emotional setback. “A huge sum was spent. The money was borrowed. Now, we are left with nothing,” he said, echoing the sentiments of several others who took similar routes in pursuit of a better life.

His cousin, Jasbir Singh, said the family only learned about the deportation through the media. “We had no idea. It was shocking,” he said.

The deportations have reignited concerns over human trafficking and illegal immigration networks that prey on desperate individuals looking for work and a better future abroad. Experts estimate that thousands of Indians attempt to enter the U.S. illegally each year, often taking perilous routes through South America.

The large-scale deportation has led to political pushback in India. Senior Congress leader Pawan Khera criticized the Modi government for not taking a strong stand against the treatment of Indian nationals. Drawing parallels with the 2013 case of Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade—who was handcuffed and strip-searched in the U.S.—Khera pointed out that the previous UPA government had taken retaliatory steps, including revoking certain diplomatic privileges for U.S. officials in India.

On social media, Congress MP Manickam Tagore expressed his outrage over images showing deported Indians in chains. “Shocking & shameful! The way the U.S. is deporting Indians—chained like criminals—is inhumane & unacceptable. Why is PM Modi silent? Where is self-respect?” he posted on X (formerly Twitter), tagging External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar.

The deportation comes as the U.S. intensifies its crackdown on illegal immigration, a central theme of the Trump administration’s policies. According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, over 1,100 Indians have been deported in the past year for illegal residency. India, meanwhile, has reportedly agreed to take back nearly 18,000 individuals as part of diplomatic efforts to maintain strong trade and visa agreements with the U.S.

While deportations are not new, the scale and treatment of returnees have drawn criticism from human rights organizations. With the issue now taking center stage in political debates, it remains to be seen how the Indian government will respond to mounting pressure to protect its citizens abroad while addressing the root causes that drive thousands to leave in search of better opportunities.