India to Bring New Law After 100+ Migrants Deported in Chains from US

New Delhi: The government is "seriously considering" passing a new law to create a framework that will encourage "safe, orderly, and regular migration for overseas employment." This action follows controversy surrounding the deportation of more than 100 Indian migrants who arrived in Amritsar yesterday on a US military C-17 airplane, shackled and chained.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, submitted a report to the Lok Sabha on Monday that resulted in the provisionally named "Overseas Mobility (Facilitation and Welfare) Bill, 2024." 

104 Migrants Apprehended in US 

A total of 104 migrants from different Indian states were detained as part of a large-scale US operation targeting illegal immigration. Among them, 33 were from Gujarat and Haryana, 30 from Punjab, three from Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, and two from Chandigarh. The deportation flight also carried 19 women and 13 children, including a five-year-old girl, a seven-year-old girl, and a four-year-old boy.

Government’s Plan for Indian Students Abroad

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar reassured that the Indian government closely monitors the number of Indian students in foreign nations and ensures their safety, particularly during critical situations. Citing past efforts in Ukraine, he emphasized that the government regularly issues warnings and has contingency plans to evacuate citizens when necessary. "We are ready for any scenario in which we must operate flights," he stated in Parliament.

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Shashi Tharoor Criticizes US

Congress leader Shashi Tharoor acknowledged that deportations of illegal immigrants are not new but criticized the forceful manner in which Indian nationals were treated in this particular case. He pointed out that the Biden administration had deported over 1,100 Indians the previous year, but this instance received greater attention due to the aggressive approach taken.

Increasing Deportations of Indians 

The crackdown on illegal immigration comes amid stricter US immigration laws, leading to a rise in the number of Indian nationals being detained for unlawful entry. Despite the existence of legal migration pathways, many Indians continue to take dangerous routes through Mexico and Central America in search of better opportunities.