Three flights have come back from the United States with Indian deportees and each one is overloaded with tales of violence, exploitation and heartbreak. The second flight that arrived late on Saturday had two young Goans, whose cautionary tale shone a harsh light on the perils faced by individuals caught in the web of illegal migration. The emotional toll of their ordeal is a tragedy that deserves our full attention, not just because of the hardships they endured, but also because it reflects a deeper issue that goes beyond a single deportation. It speaks to the desperation of youth seeking better prospects abroad, often falling victim to unscrupulous agents and a system that offers little sympathy for their plight.
These two Goans, both in their twenties, reportedly paid substantial sums to a “consultant” who promised to facilitate their migration to the US legally. For one of the men, a 25-year-old who had completed a course in maritime studies, the plan seemed to be his ticket to a new life. Yet, his dream quickly turned to dust as they faced unimaginable violence at the Mexico-US border. Robbed at knife-point, tortured, and ultimately caught trying to cross into the US through a truck gate, these young men were subjected to a cycle of abuse that few could have foreseen.
The Goans’ story is a stark reminder of the dangers posed by “consultants” who prey on vulnerable individuals desperate for opportunity. One of the men, who had worked at a resort in Goa, paid Rs 10 lakh to the agent, part of a promise of a better life in America. This tragic deception led them to Mexico, where they encountered brutal conditions and a heartless smuggling network that took advantage of their hopes and aspirations.
Beyond the physical torment, the emotional toll of deportation has been equally damaging. Once in the US, both men were detained for over three weeks, held in a detention center where their dignity was stripped away. To add insult to injury, as deportation became inevitable, they were subjected to the degrading process of being shackled during the journey back to India, a policy that has sparked outrage in Parliament.
The political firestorm that followed these deportations has only deepened the national anguish. Opposition leaders raised their voices against the treatment of Indian deportees, among them many women, particularly highlighting the inhumane use of restraints. The images of men and women in shackles, being returned to their homeland like prisoners, sparked outrage, with some lawmakers asking the government whether they had turned a blind eye to this degradation.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar defended the procedure, citing the US’s Standard Operating Procedure for deportation. However, the emotional aspect of this debate has overshadowed such technicalities. What is lost in these bureaucratic discussions is the human cost of the policy. The stories of Sikh deportees, forced to remove their turbans in detention, have garnered particular attention, drawing condemnation from community leaders who called the act a violation of religious rights.
Meanwhile, the Goa authorities have remained largely silent on the broader implications of such illegal migration. While Commissioner Narendra Sawaikar urged Goans to follow proper legal channels when seeking work abroad, the fact remains that many are left with no choice but to fall prey to these unscrupulous agents, who promise the American dream and deliver only despair.
In the heat of this political crisis, it’s easy to lose sight of the personal toll that these deportations are taking on the deportees themselves. Amidst the angry debates and protests in Parliament, we must remember that behind every statistic is a human story of suffering and shattered hopes. The Goan deportees are just two of many who have been forced to endure unimaginable hardships in their quest for a better life.
What is the solution to this crisis? At its heart, it lies in addressing the root causes of illegal migration. India must ensure that its youth have access to meaningful opportunities at home, so they are not driven to such desperate measures. More importantly, the government must hold those who exploit their dreams accountable. The “consultants” who lure people into illegal migration schemes must be thoroughly investigated, their operations shut down, and their victims supported.
The treatment of Indian deportees, including Goans, should never again be allowed to descend to the levels we have seen in these recent cases. While politicians bicker over the procedural details, the human cost is clear. It is time for a government response that acknowledges not just the need for legal migration, but also the moral responsibility to ensure the dignity and rights of those who seek better lives. Until this happens, the cycle of hardship and humiliation will continue.