HANDCUFFED DEPORTEES – IS TRUMP ADMINISTRATION ARROGANT, INHUMAN AND UNCIVILISED ? – By N.S.Venkataraman
When 104 illegal immigrants were sent back to India by Trump administration with the men with their hands and feet in shackles, millions of Indians are upset , who feel that such treatment of illegal immigrants are unwarranted and reflect that the Trump administration is insensitive and some people terming it as cruel. In India where citizens enjoy enormous personal freedom , the feeling of outrage amongst Indians is not surprising.
The neutral stand of Government of India :
When this issue was debated in the Indian parliament, Foreign Minister took what appear to be a neutral stand , stating that this practice in US is a part of standard operating procedure. Certainly, he did not condemn the US action. He further tried to soften the blow by stating that women and children amongst the illegal migrants who were deported in the military aircraft were not restrained. Further, he said that the needs of deportees during transit relating to food and other necessities including medical help were offered and toilet facilities were not denied.
Of course, the minister also assured that Government of India would take up the issue with Trump administration with the request not to treat the deportees to India in such harsh manner.
Obviously , the Foreign Minister who is very cautious in his reaction, is anxious not to create any friction in Indo US relationship ,particularly in the present scenario , where the illegal migrants in USA are certainly violators of US law and are deemed to be law breakers in USA.
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The reaction to the statement of Indian Foreign Minister in India is mixed , with some people thinking that Indian government should take a holistic view of the matter and there is no need for any over reaction at the present time, when Trump administration in USA seems to be still finding its feet
What critics say ?
USA claims that it is a democratic and free country, where human values are respected and honoured and dignity of individuals are recognised. The critics point out that the treatment meted out to the deportees by handcuffing them go contrary to the claims of US government about its adherence to human values.
When a person is arrested after first information report , he cannot be deemed to be criminal , which has to be proved in a court of law.
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When Trump administration identified the illegal people in USA , they were not given the opportunity to challenge the decision of the Trump administration to deport them in a court of law. In a democratic society, it has been seen several times that when a person who is punished on a criminal charge by a lower court , the same person is adjudged to be not a criminal in a higher court .
Arresting the illegals and putting them in a jail is different from deporting the illegals from the country, who have been allowed to stay in the country for several years and several of them have social security cards in USA. This vexed question need to be clarified by judiciary in USA and there is no indication that Trump administration has subjected its decision to the scrutiny of the judges.
All said and done, most of the illegal immigrants in USA have been allowed to stay in USA for several years and they worked in USA and have contributed to the economy of USA in one way or the other. In other words, USA has been benefited in one way or the other by the work contribution of the illegals.
Finally, there is one question that Trump administration has to answer. During the last several years, US administration have been shouting from the roof top about human right violation in other countries , particularly developing countries like India , Sri Lanka , as if US is the sole upholder of the human right values and the conscience keeper of the world. The present act of the Trump administration in handcuffing the deportees and virtually throwing them out of the country in a merciless manner shows that how hollow is the US government’s claim as “champion of human rights”
Is Trump administration inhuman?
Trump administration has taken a decision to deport the illegal immigrants and certainly it is entitled to do so , if it would think that the presence of the illegal migrants is against the interests of USA.
While the method adopted by the Trump administration to handcuff the illegals and sending them away to India is harsh , possibly this practice need not make one think that US administration is inhuman. Possibly, US administration must have thought about this from security point of view.
When the illegal migrants are sent out of USA, obviously these people would be extremely unhappy, frustrated and angry . It is quite possible that a few of them may indulge in violent activity in the aircraft when it would be on the sky and violent clashes in the aircraft would be a severe safety hazard.
It should be kept in mind that Trump administration has not handcuffed the women and children among the deportees but did this only for the menfolk. Probably, Trump administration thought that women would not indulge in violence !
Why rush to USA?
In countries like India, Sri Lanka , Bangladesh and Pakistan , section of people somehow want to go to USA and settle down there , impressed by the prosperity index of USA. Some people think that this attitude of section of the people in these countries is also due to the continued colonial mindset , as these countries have been ruled by Europeans for several centuries.
India too now has a problem due to the illegal migrants from Bangladesh and Myanmar. However, India is not bold enough to deport them to their respective countries , as those countries may disown their citizens and would refuse to accept them. Trump had the clout to impose tariff to threaten such countries who refuse to accept the deportees but Indian government cannot adopt such methods for obvious reasons.
Al said and done, Trump administration is now redefining the migrant policy and methodology of dealing with the migrant issues for the rest of the world to observe, evaluate and practice .
In all probability , it is likely that those from India , Sri Lanka , Pakistan , Bangladesh and a few other countries would think several times before trying to enter USA in an illegal manner and perhaps, would stop indulging in this adventure.
If you missed N.S.Venkataramans’ last Article – here it is! COUNTRIES CRITICAL OF U S A FOR EXITING CLIMATE PACT IS SIMILAR TO POT CALLING KETTLE BLACK – By N.S.Venkataraman
