A video released by the White House showing undocumented immigrants in shackles before deportation has led to widespread criticism in India. The video released by the White House on Tuesday forms part of the Trump administration’s initiative to scare illegal immigrants. The video shows an officer applying shackles to detain an immigrant before leading him to a deportation aircraft. The video footage shows handcuffs and chains lying on a tarmac as an officer lifts shackles from a basket. Various people with hidden faces walk in handcuffs while officers maintain ankle and wrist chains while transporting them onto the aircraft.
Elon Musk’s Retweet Adds Fuel to Controversy
Public reaction has been largely negative toward this released footage that gained high attraction. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Chief Elon Musk posted the video on his X platform with the message “Haha wow” only to invite more public backlash. This footage connects to the broader issue of deportee treatment after three US military planes delivered 332 deported Indian nationals to Amritsar earlier this month. The passengers revealed that conditions were harsh during their flights because they were kept in chains and had poor access to meals and bathrooms.
Political backlash in India
This video release has led to a major political backlash in India. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and other opposition leaders have criticised the deportation procedure because they found the treatment to be shameful and inhumane. Banerjee attacked the Modi government for allowing citizens to be deported without proper dignity by suggesting the government should have organised its own transport.
EAM Jaishankar Clarifies US Standard Operating Procedure on Restraints
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has clarified in the Parliament that the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) includes shackling deportees according to procedures that began in 2012. Jaishankar affirmed through statements that ICE uses restraints only for certain deportees while ensuring that women and children remain free from shackles and pointing out that the United States has followed deportation practices since before previous presidential terms.
