NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Exterior Affairs (MEA) on Friday supplied particulars on the deportation of Indian nationals from the USA throughout its weekly media briefing, highlighting the current return of 73-year-old Harjit Kaur.“Within the final a number of months, since January 2025, up to now, we have had 2417 Indian nationals deported or repatriated from the USA. Within the case of Harjeet Kaur, she additionally returned lately,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal mentioned.“We need to promote authorized pathways of migration. On the similar time, India stands in opposition to unlawful migration,” he added.Jaiswal defined that Indian authorities confirm the nationality of people referred to them and facilitate their return solely after confirming their paperwork and authorized standing.He added that each time an individual doesn’t possess authorized standing in any nation and is referred to India with claims of being an Indian nationwide, authorities conduct a background verify, affirm the nationality after which prepare their return. That is how deportations from the USA have been dealt with.
Who’s Harjit Kaur?
Harjit Kaur, a Sikh lady from Pangota village in Tarn Taran, Punjab, had lived within the US for greater than three many years after transferring there along with her sons following her husband’s dying.Additionally Learn | ‘Carry Grandma Residence’: A whole bunch rally in California in opposition to Harjit Kaur’s arrest; household calls for her launchShe labored within the San Francisco Bay Space and had utilized for asylum a number of occasions, all of which have been denied. Her case attracted widespread consideration within the US, with tons of of individuals rallying in California demanding her launch.
Harjit Kaur’s deportation case
Kaur was detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers throughout a routine immigration verify on September 8 this yr. She was positioned in handcuffs, transported in a van to Georgia beneath harsh situations and held with out her household or lawyer being knowledgeable. After about 48 hours in custody, ICE deported her to India. Through the ordeal, she mentioned, “After dwelling there for thus lengthy, you’re all of a sudden detained and deported this manner, it’s higher to die than to face this. In such a state of affairs, one shouldn’t stay.”Additionally Learn |‘Higher to die than face this’: 73-year-old Punjab grandma deported after 30 yrs in USShe added, “I used to be in handcuffs your entire time, I couldn’t sit correctly, and nobody knowledgeable my household.” Kaur described the journey as harrowing, highlighting the dearth of meals, water and medical care.