Fri Feb 07 09:03:04 UTC 2025: ## Opposition’s Deportation Protest Backfires as Govt Highlights Past Practices
**New Delhi** – The recent deportation of 104 undocumented Indian immigrants from the US has sparked a political firestorm in India, with the opposition Congress party accusing the Modi government of failing to protect Indian citizens. However, the government’s swift and detailed rebuttal has effectively countered the opposition’s narrative.
Congress staged a dramatic protest in Parliament, employing mock handcuffing and slogans, alleging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s relationship with US President Donald Trump had failed to prevent the deportations. They further attempted to portray the incident as evidence of disunity within the ruling BJP.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar robustly defended the government’s position, stating that the repatriation of illegal nationals is a standard international practice, not unique to India or the current administration. He cited figures showing that deportations of Indian citizens from the US have occurred regularly since 2009, even under previous Congress-led governments, ranging from 515 to 799 individuals annually. He further emphasized that the US procedures, including the use of restraints during deportation flights, have been in place since 2012. Jaishankar also highlighted ongoing engagement with the US government to ensure humane treatment of deportees. The government also emphasized plans to crack down on illegal migration agents while simplifying visa processes for legitimate travelers.
The opposition’s criticism has been met with counter-arguments highlighting the Congress party’s own record. The government pointed to the Tri-Valley University scam of 2011, where thousands of Indian students were defrauded and subsequently faced harsh treatment by US authorities, with the then Congress government offering little support. Furthermore, the government contrasted the opposition’s concern for deported Indians with their past efforts to protect illegal Bangladeshi immigrants in India, citing a WikiLeaks cable revealing Sonia Gandhi’s offer to amend the Foreigners Act to prevent deportations.
The government’s response underscores that the deportation process aligns with established international norms and existing US procedures, while simultaneously raising questions about the opposition’s motivations and consistency on immigration issues. The controversy highlights the complexities of international deportation and the political maneuvering surrounding sensitive issues in India.
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