Painful stories of illegal immigrants: Their handcuffs and shackles were opened in Amritsar
#News Bureau February 6,3025
In February 2024, Jaspal Singh left his home in Fatehgarh Chudian, Punjab, with a dream of a fresh start in America. He had risked everything – his savings, his faith and his hope for a better future. When he landed at Amritsar airport, his hands and legs were handcuffed.
Instead of getting opportunities in the US, they faced detention and deportation. A loss of Rs 30 lakh and a shattered dream. Jaspal Singh is one of the 104 illegal Indian immigrants who reached Amritsar on Wednesday, their hopes dashed and future uncertain at the moment.
Jaspal told the media- “I spoke to an agent to be sent to the US legally with a valid visa. But I was cheated. The deal was for Rs 30 lakh and I wasted all my money. I first travelled to Europe from Punjab, believing that I was going legally. From there, I went to Brazil and finally I had to take the ‘donkey’ route to the US, which took six months.”
Jaspal Singh, 36, could stay in the US for only 11 days. He was arrested by the US Border Force when he crossed the border in January 2025. The rest of the days were spent in custody. I did not know that I was being sent back to India. When they put me on the flight, I thought they were taking me to another detention center. Later, an officer told me that we were going back to India.
Jaspal broke down while telling the story of being tightly bound in handcuffs and shackles. However, they were removed after landing in Amritsar. He said that it was only when the flight reached Amritsar that he came to know where he had been brought.
Jaspal Singh said with a faint smile that he cannot describe in words how it feels to have nothing left after enduring so much. A lot of money was spent, some of it was managed from my savings, some from friends, and some with the help of relatives. Now, I blame my fate for this.
Out of the 104 illegal Indian immigrants deported from America, 30 are from Punjab, 33 from Haryana, 33 from Gujarat, three from Maharashtra, three from Uttar Pradesh and two from Chandigarh.
Congress strict on handcuffs
Congress expressed grief over the Indians deported from America being “handcuffed and humiliated”. Congress said why is the Modi government not objecting to this. Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera reminded that in 2013, after a sharp reaction from the then UPA government, America had to express regret over the treatment meted out to Indian diplomat Devyani Khobragade.
Recalling that incident, Pawan Khera said that “the UPA government gave a sharp reply. Leaders like Meira Kumar, Sushil Kumar Shinde and Rahul Gandhi refused to meet the US Congressional delegation (George Holding, Pete Olson, David Schweikert, Rob Woodland Madeleine Bordallo) which was visiting India at the time.” Khera said the then PM Manmohan Singh had described the US action as ‘reprehensible’. He said India withdrew several facilities given to the US Embassy. Khera said the Income Tax Department has started an investigation into the US Embassy School.
