Outrage has been sparked across the United States, following the shackling of Indian detainees aboard a migration flight. Described as ‘treated like criminals’, these detainees were all aboard a 40-hour deportation flight.
The news surrounding the arm and leg shackling of detainees hit headlines as they were all part of a 40-hour flight from El Paso, Texas, to the northern Indian city of Punjab. The flight, organized and executed under the watchful eye of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), has since caused widespread controversy.
Immigration rights advocates are ramping up their criticisms of these measures, saying that the shackling is an unnecessary and degrading practice, designed more as a punitive action than a necessary security measure. “These individuals are not hardened criminals, yet they are treated as such” one advocate stated.
Amidst mounting resentment, the Trump administration has been at the receiving end of the flak, with the shackling being seen as yet another disconcerting anti-immigration measure. The administration’s immigration policies have previously caused uproar, especially the ones involved in the management and treatment of detainees.
Despite this backlash, the ICE has defended its practices. A spokesperson explained that the measures were deemed necessary for safety during transport, particularly for flights that can last 24 hours or longer. The spokesperson added that everyone on the flight, including ICE personnel, were bound by them.
All detainees aboard the flight were Indians living in the U.S., most of whom had sought asylum in the country but had been denied. This process of deportation, including shackling for the long-haul flight, has raised serious questions about the treatment of those involved.
The controversy sheds light yet again on the immigration climate under the Trump administration with advocates and critics alike questioning the harsh treatment and lack of dignity afforded to immigrants in the name of security.
Last modified: February 7, 2025
