India’s External Affairs Minister Addresses Deportation of Illegal Immigrants in Rajya Sabha

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, addressing the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, stated that the deportation of Indian nationals who entered the United States illegally does not signify a policy shift from previous practices. He presented a detailed record of such deportations dating back to 2009.

Emphasizing the need for stringent action against the illegal migration industry, the Minister highlighted the government's ongoing efforts to investigate the mechanisms facilitating unlawful migration. "It is the responsibility of all nations to repatriate their nationals if they are found residing illegally abroad," he asserted.

On Wednesday, a U.S. military aircraft carrying 104 deported Indian nationals arrived in Amritsar, marking the first such instance under the Trump administration’s intensified crackdown on illegal immigration. Among those deported, 33 individuals hailed from Haryana and Gujarat, 30 from Punjab, three each from Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, and two from Chandigarh.

Minister Jaishankar assured the House that the Government of India is actively engaging with U.S. authorities to ensure that deported individuals are treated with dignity. "We are in dialogue with the U.S. government to prevent any form of mistreatment of the returnees," he stated. He further underscored the administration’s commitment to dismantling the illegal immigration network, affirming that intelligence gathered from the deportees would aid law enforcement agencies in taking decisive, preventive, and punitive action against those facilitating unlawful migration.

Earlier in the day, proceedings in the Lok Sabha witnessed significant disruptions, with members voicing their concerns over the issue. Speaker Om Birla sought to restore order, urging members to allow the smooth conduct of Question Hour. "This is a matter of serious concern and has implications for foreign policy. The government is addressing it with due seriousness, while also respecting the legal frameworks of other sovereign nations. Members will have the opportunity to present their views at the designated time," he remarked.