The narrative that the democratic world has long attempted to establish regarding millions of illegal immigrants — specifically, that they are fleeing from Muslim war-torn countries to seek refuge in the West — was recently dismantled by US President Donald Trump.
This revelation left champions of democracy visibly embarrassed. It was a significant expose that added to the stigma of modern democracies already faced by many Muslims around the globe.
Upon taking office, President Trump prioritised securing the US border, which had previously seen the construction of a substantial wall near Mexico to deter illegal crossings. During his previous term in office, he implemented measures to close the borders and arranged for the repatriation of thousands of immigrants, including special military flights for those from Brazil and India.
In a notable incident, Brazil refused to allow an American plane to land, opting instead to send its own aircraft to repatriate its citizens with dignity. Conversely, the treatment of Indian immigrants was shocking; they were shackled and manacled, a sight unprecedented in history. This prompted outrage in India, where citizens began demanding a strong response from Prime Minister Modi.
Outrage & Silence
Despite the public outcry, the Indian government has not responded significantly, and the repatriation flights have continued. This has created suspicion about Trump and Modi's recent meeting.
A recent survey by the Pew Research Center highlighted the presence of illegal immigrants in the US, revealing that after South American countries, the highest numbers come from China, India, and various African nations.
In contrast, asylum-seeker applications from Muslim countries have declined. Previously, it was assumed that most immigrants or asylum seekers originated from Muslim nations affected by US interventions or regime changes in the past, such as Afghanistan, Iraq, or Syria.
The report indicated that India's economic and political conditions are often more favourable than its South Asian neighbours, and hardly any Indians would take this risk of losing comfort in their country. It is surprising to learn that over seven hundred thousand Indians have entered the United States illegally, with many more waiting to cross the border.
The BJP government has been gloating about the ordinary person's strong economic growth, whereas recent independent reports show decreasing purchasing power in India. More than 800 million people are living on government subsidies and cash incentives.
Most of these illegal immigrants hail from the relatively prosperous states of Punjab, Gujarat, and Haryana, risking their lives in search of a better future.
Modi-Trump Friendship?
There was a prevailing belief in India that the friendship between President Trump and Prime Minister Modi would mitigate the issue of Indian illegal immigrants. Analysts suggested that Trump would hesitate to send Indian immigrants back, especially in such degrading conditions.
Inder Kothari, an analyst, noted that Modi had adjusted his taxation policies before meeting Trump, underestimating the gravity of the immigration issue. There was hope that Modi would try to address the immigrant situation during their discussions. It looked grimmer and more serious after the Summit.
The reality was shocking. While Modi was returning to India, over a hundred illegal immigrants were being repatriated in chains on a US military plane. This act not only represented a grave injustice to the immigrants but also mocked democratic values.
Modi's government refrained from condemning this action, offering excuses instead. Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar stated in Parliament that the US had been sending back Indian immigrants since 2013, implying that this issue began during the Congress era and was not the BJP's core responsibility.
He remarked that such measures are expected for those entering a country illegally while also promising strict action against human trafficking and immigrant smuggling.
Prime Minister Modi distanced himself from the issue by echoing Jaishankar’s sentiments. Meanwhile, the opposition alliance led by Congress staged fierce protests in Parliament, demanding that the government send planes to repatriate Indian immigrants and prevent the US from treating them inhumanely.
Critics Corner Modi govt
Congress leader Renuka Chowdhury highlighted the inhumane conditions faced by the immigrants during their 24-hour journey, which she deemed a serious violation of human rights. She criticised the lack of expected decency between democracies, setting a troubling precedent.
Parliamentarians expressed their outrage, citing Brazil's proactive approach in sending planes for its citizens and questioning why India did not do the same, thereby undermining its own prestige. Trump also used military aircraft to repatriate immigrants to Guatemala and Ecuador, demonstrating that illegal immigration to the US was not limited to democratic or non-Muslim countries. This shattered the Western media's narrative about impoverished and Muslim nations.
Current American media reports estimate that there are over three million illegal immigrants in the US, with more than seven hundred thousand from India. Among them, eighteen thousand Indians have been identified and are being sent back in chains.
Over the past two years, the number of Indian immigrants crossing the US border has surged unexpectedly, leading to numerous confrontations with border police, which the American media have highlighted more often.
Harjeet Singh, an illegal immigrant from Punjab, shared his harrowing experience with ABC News, recounting his journey across four continents to reach the Mexican border, only to be apprehended and returned to India. He expressed disbelief that a country like America could treat him in such a dehumanising manner.
From Jets to ‘Election Aid’
Since Modi returned from Washington, there has been conspicuous silence regarding immigrant repatriations, Trump's demands for trade equality, the purchase of F-35 jets, and the overall state of US-India relations. Analysts suggest that the BJP avoids this topic, indicating potential rifts in the friendship between Trump and Modi, even as most Indian media outlets downplay the issue.
However, when Trump mentioned providing over two crore US dollars in aid to influence recent parliamentary elections in India, the BJP initially attempted to blame Congress. Yet, Trump's repeated references to Modi complicated matters for the BJP, which had managed to suppress discussions about the treatment of shackled immigrants.
The issue of US aid has become a contentious point, with calls for investigation gaining traction, further straining the friendship over tariff disparities, as noted by analysts.
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