By – Prakarsh Kastwar
New Delhi: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has responded to reports of alleged mistreatment of Indian immigrants deported from the United States. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri stated that the issue of mistreatment has been brought to the ministry’s attention and will be discussed with American officials.
“The issue of mistreatment of deported Indian immigrants has come to our notice. We will take it up with U.S. authorities to ensure that no individual faces any form of misconduct during the deportation process. Any such case that comes to our attention will be raised at the appropriate level with the U.S. government,” said Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.
Discussion with U.S. Authorities
Misri further mentioned that U.S. officials have provided information regarding immigration and customs enforcement procedures. The Indian External Affairs Minister has already outlined the standard operating procedures concerning deportations, highlighting that actions should be taken against those facilitating illegal immigration.
“Illegal immigration must be curbed at all levels, and the system must ensure that necessary legal frameworks are in place to prevent such activities. However, I do not believe that any protests have occurred following the recent deportation of Indian nationals. We have no records of any demonstrations related to this matter,” Misri added.
Ongoing Deportation Process
Foreign Secretary Misri clarified that deportation of illegal immigrants is not a new phenomenon. The Indian government maintains a transparent and systematic approach to handling deportees and verifying their citizenship status before accepting them back into the country.
“As stated by the External Affairs Minister in Parliament yesterday, any country deporting individuals requires assurance that the returnees are indeed citizens of their homeland. This is crucial for both legal and security concerns,” Misri stated.
Upon requesting further details from the U.S. regarding Indian nationals scheduled for deportation, Indian authorities were informed that a total of 487 individuals are set for final removal. So far, details of 298 individuals have been shared with India.
Significance of the Recent Deportation
Misri emphasized that the most recent deportation operation was slightly different from the past, making it a significant case requiring attention.
“The recent deportation carried out two days ago stands out from previous operations conducted over the years. It is important for us to assess this process thoroughly and ensure that individuals returning to India are treated with dignity and respect,” he added.
The Indian government remains committed to safeguarding the rights of its citizens and maintaining open communication with U.S. authorities to address concerns regarding immigration policies and deportation procedures. The MEA will continue to monitor such cases and engage diplomatically to prevent any violations of human rights in the deportation process.
The US must ensure that deported Indians are treated fairly. This is a crucial issue