NEW DELHI: After the United States deported 104 illegal Indian immigrants, information surfaced on online space from the stories of how exactly the agents threw them onto US soil without any chance to go back to camping in a Panama jungle.
A video surfaced online reportedly showing Indians including women and children camping in a forested area in Panama.
The recordings showed Indians constructing tents in a forest clearing. Some men are visible wearing rubber boots in muddy conditions, whilst women holding infants rest near the shelters.
One recording captured Indians wearing raincoats during heavy rainfall in the jungle. Several media claimed that these were going from Mexico to US.
On Wednesday, a US military aircraft landed in Amritsar carrying 104 illegal immigrants from various Indian states: 33 each from Haryana and Gujarat, 30 from Punjab, three each from Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, and two from Chandigarh.
Jaspal Singh, amongst the deportees, described being restrained with handcuffs and leg chains during the flight until their arrival at Amritsar airport. The 36-year-old from Hardorwal village in Gurdaspur was apprehended by US Border Patrol on January 24.
Upon returning home Wednesday evening, Jaspal revealed he was misled by a travel agent who had promised legal entry to the US. He paid Rs 30 lakh for the arrangement. “I had asked the agent to send me through a proper visa (for the US). But he deceived me,” said Jaspal.
Jaspal stated he flew to Brazil in July last year, expecting to continue to the US by air. Instead, he remained in Brazil for six months before attempting an illegal border crossing, leading to his arrest and 11-day detention.
He expressed surprise at the deportation, initially believing they were being transferred to another facility. “We thought we were being taken to another camp. Then a police officer told us that they were being taken to India…We were handcuffed and legs were chained. These were opened at the Amritsar airport,” he claimed.
Jaspal said he was shattered with deportation. “A huge sum was spent. The money was borrowed.”
US border authorities released footage showing the Indian nationals boarding the deportation aircraft in restraints. US Border Patrol Chief Michael W Banks shared the video, emphasising their commitment to immigration law enforcement and swift deportation procedures.
“USBP and partners successfully returned illegal aliens to India, marking the farthest deportation flight yet using military transport. This mission underscores our commitment to enforcing immigration laws and ensuring swift removals,” Banks said in a post on X.
“If you cross illegally, you will be removed,” he added.border authorities have released a video showing Indian nationals in handcuffs boarding a deportation aircraft.
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