Jatinder Singh, one of the 112 illegal Indian immigrants who were deported from the United States to Amritsar on Sunday, shared a deeply troubling account of his two-week stay in a US detention camp. Singh, 23, recounted the physical and emotional torment he endured during his time in detention, which included being subjected to harsh treatment by US authorities. One of the most disturbing aspects of his experience was when he was forced to remove his turban (dastar), a deeply significant symbol of his Sikh faith, despite his objections. The authorities reportedly discarded his turban into a dustbin, a moment that left Singh feeling humiliated and dehumanized.
Singh had set out on a perilous journey to the United States with the hope of securing employment and providing for his family back in Amritsar. His family, struggling with limited job opportunities in India, had sold off their land and jewelry to fund his journey. Singh paid a total of Rs 50 lakh to an agent, who promised to help him cross the US border safely. The agent told Singh that the process would involve crossing the dense and treacherous jungles of Panama, followed by a flight to Mexico and ultimately an illegal border crossing into the US. Singh's family had sold off everything, including 1.3 acres of land and jewelry belonging to his two married sisters, to make the payment for his passage.
After spending three days traversing the jungles of Panama, which he described as "haunting" due to the sight of bodies of other immigrants who had perished in the harsh conditions, Singh finally made it across the US border. Unfortunately, he was apprehended by US border authorities, who detained him and sent him to a detention camp. While there, Singh alleged that he was subjected to inhumane treatment. He claimed he was kept in shackles for an extended period and was denied adequate food. Instead of proper meals, Singh said he was given just Lay’s chips and Frooti juice twice a day, further exacerbating the already difficult conditions he was enduring.
Singh's ordeal did not end with his detention. When he was transported back to India on a US military plane, he faced even more distressing conditions. He was handcuffed and shackled for the duration of the 36-hour flight. According to Singh, the authorities controlled the cabin temperature by alternating between extreme cold and heat, causing his skin to dry out. The conditions were uncomfortable, and he and the other deported immigrants were deprived of basic comforts, including access to food and restrooms for an extended period. The shackles were only removed just 10 minutes before landing in Amritsar, which was an agonizing 36-hour experience for Singh and his fellow deportees.
Singh’s story is part of a growing number of reports about the mistreatment of Indian immigrants being deported from the US. On February 5, another group of 104 deported immigrants arrived in Amritsar, and several of them reported similar experiences, including being restrained with handcuffs for the entire flight. Among these deportees, Sikh individuals also claimed that their turbans were forcibly removed by US officials, sparking outrage in the Sikh community. The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), a prominent religious and political organization, strongly condemned the act and demanded that action be taken against those responsible for stripping deported Sikh immigrants of their turbans. SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami called for an investigation into the matter, stating that such treatment of Sikhs was unacceptable.
Following the February 5 incident, the SGPC expressed concern for the well-being of the deported immigrants and promised to support them. At a press conference, Dhami called on the Indian government to hold US authorities accountable for the treatment of its citizens and deported immigrants. He also announced his resignation on "moral grounds," partly in response to his outrage over the mistreatment of the deported individuals.
The issue of Indian immigration to the US, both legal and illegal, has been a contentious one, with thousands of individuals attempting to enter the US in search of better job opportunities and a better life. Many, like Singh, have been misled by agents who promise a quick and easy passage to the US but ultimately exploit them financially and put them in dangerous situations. Singh’s account is a stark reminder of the harsh realities faced by those who undertake these perilous journeys, often with tragic consequences.
Of the 112 deportees who arrived in Amritsar on Sunday, the majority came from Haryana (44), Gujarat (33), and Punjab (31), with smaller numbers from Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh. A second US military aircraft carrying 116 deported immigrants landed at Amritsar on Saturday night. These deportees, too, reported being subjected to mistreatment during their flight, with many of them claiming they were restrained with handcuffs and denied basic comforts. The deportation flights from the US to India have raised serious concerns about the treatment of Indian nationals in US detention and during deportation, leading to calls for greater accountability from US authorities.
In total, the US has deported 332 illegal Indian immigrants across three flights so far, and the controversy surrounding the mistreatment of these individuals is likely to continue. The stories of Singh and others who have faced similar abuse highlight the dangerous consequences of illegal immigration and the exploitation of vulnerable individuals by unscrupulous agents. While Singh has vowed never to go abroad again and plans to find work in India, his experience serves as a powerful reminder of the human cost of such journeys. The ongoing situation also raises important questions about the treatment of immigrants by US authorities and the need for greater compassion and respect for human rights in dealing with deported individuals.
