'Women, children not restrained': Govt on Indian deportees from US shackled, handcuffed

NEW DELHI: The central government, responding to a question regarding the treatment of

Indian deportees

from the US, said in Parliament that the

ministry of external affairs

(MEA) had “strongly registered its concerns with the US authorities on the treatment meted out to deportees on the flight that landed on February 5, particularly for the use of shackles, especially on women.”
The US, however, assured India that no women or children were restrained on the deportation flights that arrived on February 15 and 16.
“The US side has confirmed that no women or children were restrained on the deportation flights that landed in India on February 15 and 16 respectively,” the government stated. This was verified by Indian agencies after interviewing the deportees upon arrival.
Three US Army flights landed in Amritsar with deportees who were reportedly shackled and handcuffed, as seen in videos shared by opposition leaders. These videos and multiple reports highlighted the inhumane conditions during the deportation process.

Opposition leaders in the parliament expressed deep concern over the alleged mistreatment, stating that the deportees were subjected to degrading treatment, raising serious questions about their dignity and human rights. They called on the government to take immediate action to address these violations and ensure the safety and dignity of Indian citizens abroad.
ICE

deportation procedures

, governed by a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) in effect since November 2012, allow for the use of restraints on deportees to ensure security. “ICE authorities of USA organize and execute deportations as per the Standard Operating Procedure, effective from November 2012, which provides for use of restraints on deportees.

The US side has mentioned that the policy of restraints is followed to ensure the safety and security of the 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.”
Since January 2025, a total of 388 Indian nationals have been deported from the US after verification by Indian authorities. Of these, 333 were sent directly from the US, while 55 were deported via Panama on commercial flights. US officials have also provided information about 295 individuals currently in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody with final orders of removal, whose nationality is being verified by Indian agencies.
The government has also raised concerns regarding religious sensitivities and food preferences of deportees. “Government has also registered its concerns regarding the need to accommodate the religious sensitivities and food preferences of the deportees. In this regard, the US side has conveyed to the ministry of external affairs that detainees on the three deportation flights (that landed on 05, 15 and 16 February 2025 respectively) were not instructed to remove any religious head coverings and that the detainees did not request any religious accommodations during the flights aside from requesting for vegetarian meals.”
The MEA continues to engage with US authorities to ensure the humane treatment of deported Indian nationals.