iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-
India emphasized the importance of treating all individuals, including those being deported, with fairness and dignity, following concerns about the mistreatment of illegal migrants deported from the United States earlier this week.
The government raised these concerns with Washington, DC, after the issue was brought up by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in Parliament.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri assured that India is actively engaging with U.S. officials regarding the deportation conditions, and the discussions on this matter are ongoing. He stressed that the Indian government has always advocated for fair and dignified treatment of deported individuals and will continue to address any reports of mistreatment.
Misri also highlighted that Jaishankar had informed the Parliament about the standard operating procedures (SOP) followed in such cases, noting that there had been no change in the procedures related to the clearance and approval of deportation flights.
In addition to addressing mistreatment, Misri underscored the need for action against the broader issue of illegal migration. He pointed out that human trafficking gangs exploit innocent people, extort large sums of money, and send them abroad illegally, only for them to face deportation later.
He stressed the urgency of dismantling these criminal networks and assured that the government would take necessary steps to tackle this problem.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs is also working to verify data regarding the number of illegal Indian immigrants in the United States, acknowledging that the deportation process is not new.
Misri noted that while Jaishankar referenced figures from 2009 in his statement, earlier data is also available, and there are various categories of people being returned, depending on the legal or judicial processes involved.
(Photo courtesy: ANI Photo)
