00:00Honourable members would be aware that the process of deportation is not a new one. I
00:07repeat, not a new one. And has been ongoing. 2009, number of deportees 734. 2010, 799.
00:182011, 597. 2012, 530. 2013, 515. We have been informed by ICE that women and children are
00:32not respected. I rise to apprise the House of certain developments pertaining to deportation
00:39of Indians from the USA. Honourable members are aware that people-to-people exchanges
00:48constitute the bedrock of our deepening ties with the United States. Indeed, more than
00:55any other relationship, mobility and migration has had a key role to play in enhancing its
01:02quality. Sir, the House would also share the view of the government that it is in our collective
01:11interest to encourage legal mobility and discourage illegal movement. In fact, illegal mobility
01:22and migration has many other associated activities also of an illegal nature. Moreover, those
01:31of our citizens who have been inveigled into illegal movement themselves become prey to
01:37other crimes. They are trapped into both moving and working under inhuman conditions. Members
01:47are aware that unfortunately there have even been fatalities in the course of such illegal
01:54migration. Those who have returned have also testified to their harrowing experiences.
02:02Mr Chairman Sir, it is the obligation of all countries to take back their nationals if
02:11they are found to be living illegally abroad. This is naturally subject to an unambiguous
02:18verification of their nationality. This is not a policy applicable to any specific country
02:27nor indeed one only practised by India. It is a general accepted principle in international
02:34relations. Sir, Honourable members would be aware that
02:42the process of deportation is not a new one and has been onward for several years. I would
02:53like to share with the House details of deportation from the United States since 2009. Their numbers
03:02years-wise as available with our law enforcement authorities is as follows. In 2009, the number
03:11of deportees 734. 2010, 799. 2011, 597. 2012, 530. 2013, 515. 2014, 591. 2015, 708. 2016,
03:341303. 2017, 1024. 2018, 1180. 2019, 2042. 2020, 1889. 2021, 805. 2022, 862. 2023, 617. 2024,
03:541368. 2025, 104. Sir, deportations by the US are organised and executed by the Immigration
04:07and Customs Enforcement, ICE, authorities. The standard operating procedure for deportation
04:19used by ICE that is effective from 2012 provides for the use of restraints. However, we have been
04:35informed by ICE that women and children are not restrained. Further, the needs of deportees,
04:44during transit, related to food and other necessities, including possible medical emergencies,
04:51are attended to. During toilet breaks, deportees are temporarily unrestrained if needed in that
04:58regard. This is applicable to chartered civilian aircraft as well as military aircraft. There has
05:07been no change, I repeat, no change from past procedure for the flight undertaken by the US
05:15on 5 February 2025. We are, of course, engaging the US government to ensure that the returning
05:26deportees are not mistreated in any manner during the flight. At the same time, the House will
05:33that our focus should be on a strong crackdown on the illegal migration industry while taking
05:42steps to ease visas for the legitimate traveller. On the basis of information provided by returning
05:49deportees about the agents and others involved, law enforcement agencies will take necessary,
05:57preventive and exemplary actions.
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