Why is this in news?
- The External Affairs Minister informed the Rajya Sabha that 3,258 Indian nationals were deported from the U.S. in 2025, the highest since 2009.
- The case of 73-year-old Harjit Kaur, reportedly maltreated in U.S. detention, triggered questions on deportee treatment, women’s safety, and bilateral coordination on migration issues.
- Deportation trends have intensified after a new U.S. policy (April 2025) causing visa cancellations and pressure on students to self-deport.
Relevance
GS-2 (International Relations)
- India–U.S. diplomatic engagements on migration and consular protection.
- Sovereignty vs. human rights in immigration enforcement.
- Diaspora issues.
GS-2 (Governance)
- State responsibility towards citizens abroad.
- Data privacy and surveillance concerns (public social-media vetting).
- Deportation processes and legal safeguards.
Key facts
- Total deportees since 2009: 18,822 Indians.
- Deportees in 2025: 3,258, highest in 16 years.
- Transportation mode:
- 2,032 (62.3%) on commercial flights
- 1,226 (37.6%) on ICE/US Customs–charter flights
- Issue of maltreatment in detention raised formally by India.
- U.S. visa scrutiny increasing:
- Applicants being asked to make social media profiles public.
- New April 2025 policy triggered cancellations even for minor offences.
- Students faced pressure to self-deport.
Background: Why deportations are rising
- The U.S. has tightened vetting, linking even minor infractions to immigration risk.
- Post-pandemic labour adjustments and domestic political pressure on immigration.
- Enhanced digital surveillance of migrants, including social media monitoring.
- Stricter student visa compliance and checks to prevent misuse of F-1 visas.
Case study: Harjit Kaur (73 years old)
- Not handcuffed but maltreated in ICE detention before deportation.
- Issues reported:
- Slept on floor despite double knee replacements
- Denied appropriate food
- Given ice instead of proper support for medication
- 60–70 hours in uncomfortable detention conditions
- India raised the issue strongly with U.S. authorities and the U.S. Embassy.
Major issues emerging
1. Treatment of deportees
- Instances of women and elderly migrants facing harsh detention environments.
- Raises concerns over compliance with international human rights standards.
2. Student visa vulnerability
- Minor infractions triggering visa cancellations.
- Pressure to self-deport undermines due process.
- Impact on India’s large student community in the U.S. (current estimates: 2.7 lakh+).
3. Sovereignty vs. diplomacy
- Visa issuance is a sovereign right, but India can raise concerns regarding:
- Detention conditions
- Discrimination
- Deportation processes
4. Surveillance expansion
- Requirement to make social media public indicates:
- Data-intensive vetting
- Lower privacy thresholds for visa applicants
- Potential misuse of digital footprints in immigration decisions
5. Humanitarian concerns
- Elderly, women, and undocumented workers most vulnerable.
- Charter flights suggest deportations of individuals held in longer detention cycles.
Implications for India–U.S. relations
- Migration is becoming a sensitive bilateral issue, alongside trade and technology.
- India must balance:
- Protecting diaspora interests
- Respecting U.S. immigration laws
- Ensuring due process and humane treatment
- Could push for:
- Consular access protocols
- Humanitarian detention standards
- Better notification mechanisms before deportation
