Lok Sabha Question No. 3516 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-21
Subject: Charges for Deportation of Indians
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Manish Tewari

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-3516

## ANSWERED ON- 21/03/2025

## CHARGES FOR DEPORTATION OF INDIANS

## 3516 SHRI MANISH TEWARI

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:-

(a) whether the Union Government has paid any charges per person as deportation costs for Indian nationals recently deported by the United States, if so, the details thereof;

(b)   whether   due   process   under   U.S.   immigration   law,   during expedited removal proceedings, was followed for these deported Indian nationals, if so, the details thereof;

(c)   whether   the   Government   has   raised   any   concerns   with   U.S. authorities regarding Indian deportees being handcuffed, shackled and treated in a manner that undermines their basic human dignity and rights, if so, the details thereof; and

(d)   whether  Prime Minister Narendra Modi has raised this issue during   his   recent   discussions   with   President   Donald   Trump   in

Washington  D.C.,   if   so,   the   details   of   the   discussions   and   any assurances received thereon?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(a) No.

(b  to   d)   Since   January   2025,   the   U.S.   Department   of   Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection (CBP) vertical has been carrying out deportation operations as part of the larger 'National Security initiative' led by the U.S. White House - National Security Council   (NSC).   The   individuals   that   have   been   deported   in   this operation were placed under 'expedited removal' process, wherein a determination of inadmissibility can be made by the immigration officer without having to go through an immigration judge in the U.S. The Ministry of External Affairs remains engaged with the U.S. side regarding the humane treatment of deportees during deportation operations. The Ministry has strongly registered its concerns with the U.S. authorities on the treatment meted out to deportees on the flight that landed on February 5th, particularly with respect to use of shackles, especially on women.

It   may   be   noted   that   the   U.S.   Standard   Operating   Procedure   to organize and execute deportations effective from November 2012

calls for the use of restraints on deportees. The U.S. authorities have conveyed that restraints are applied to ensure the safety and security of the deportation mission. While women and minors are generally not shackled, the flight officer in charge of a deportation flight has the final say on the matter. The U.S. side has confirmed that   no   women   or   children   were   restrained   on   the   deportation flights that landed in India on February 15th and 16th respectively. This   has   been   confirmed   and   recorded   by   our   agencies   after interviewing the deportees on their arrival in India. The   need   to   promote   safe,   orderly   and legal   migration   while cracking   down   on   illegal   immigration   networks   was   discussed during   the   recent   visit   of   Prime   Minister   to   the   U.S.   on   12-13 February 2025. India's consistent stance against illegal immigration while seeking humane treatment of deportees was reiterated. Both sides acknowledged the need to cooperate closely in aggressively addressing   illegal   immigration   and   human   trafficking   by   taking strong action against bad actors, criminal facilitators, and illegal immigration networks.

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