Why Hundreds of Indians Were Deported from the US in Chains Under Trump’s New Policies
Over the past few months, disturbing images and videos have spread across social media: groups of young Indian men, their hands and feet chained, being escorted onto large American military aircraft. Many look frightened, confused or heartbroken. Some try to speak to their families over last-minute video calls.
For millions of people in India, these scenes have felt shocking and painful. But they are part of a much larger immigration crackdown in the United States under President Donald Trump’s return to power in January 2025.
This article explains why so many Indians are being deported, why they are in chains, and how Trump’s new policies have changed the immigration system.
A Massive Deportation Drive
During his election campaign in 2024, Donald Trump promised what he called “the largest deportation operation in American history”. Within the first three months of 2025, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) removed more than 135,000 people from the country—one of the fastest deportation rates ever recorded.
Indians have become one of the fastest-growing groups in this wave.
The Numbers Tell the Story
- In 2023, around 96,000 Indians were caught crossing the US border illegally.
- In the first three months of 2025 alone, over 42,000 Indians attempted the same journey.
- Thousands more—students and workers—lost their legal visa status because of strict new rules.
Because of the huge scale of removals, ICE has started using military cargo planes, not just regular commercial flights. These flights often require heavy security, which is why the deportees are seen wearing waist chains, leg irons, and handcuffs.
Why So Many Indians Are Being Deported
1. The Rise of the “Donkey Route”
A growing number of young men from Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh are paying between £40,000 and £80,000 to illegal agents. These agents promise to take them through multiple countries—Ecuador, Colombia, Panama, Mexico—and finally across the US border.
Most claim asylum on arrival, but Trump’s administration now rejects the majority within days. Once rejected, they are placed in detention centres and later deported.
2. Harsh Crackdown on Visa Holders
Trump’s new immigration rules state that:
- One small criminal charge, even a minor one, can end a person’s visa.
- Losing a job on an H-1B visa can also lead to deportation if a replacement job is not found quickly.
- Students with paperwork delays or expired documents can also be removed.
Even long-term residents—who have lived in America for 10–15 years—are being targeted.
3. Anti-H-1B Sentiment in the US
In many tech regions, especially Silicon Valley, a growing number of Americans believe Indian IT workers have taken over local jobs. Towns like Fremont, California, now have nearly 30% Indian population, leading to tension and public debates.
This has increased public support for Trump’s strict immigration stance.
Why Are Deportees Chained?
The images that went viral were from military airbases in Texas earlier this year. When detainees are moved in large groups, ICE uses:
- Handcuffs
- Leg shackles
- Waist chains
These are normally used for dangerous criminals, but ICE argues they are needed for “group transport safety”.
For Indians watching at home, the chains felt humiliating. Many politicians called it “an insult to India”. But US authorities say this is standard procedure for mass deportation flights.
What Happens When They Land in India?
Deportation flights usually arrive in Delhi or Amritsar. The men step off the plane still chained. Indian authorities then remove the restraints and complete paperwork.
Most return:
- with no luggage
- with no money
- with phone sim cards deactivated
- with huge debts to the agents who arranged their journey
Some families have sold land or taken heavy loans to send their sons to America. For many, returning home feels like failure and shame.
A Painful Situation for Families
For the deportees’ families, the news is devastating. Many spent years hoping their children would build a better life abroad. Instead, they see them coming home in chains, on video clips watched by millions.
For Americans who support the crackdown, however, the deportations feel like justice and protection of national interests.
Will the Deportations Stop?
All signs say no.
Trump has said he wants to remove one million people from the US in his first year. India remains one of the top countries affected.
With the combination of illegal migration, visa crackdowns and political pressure, experts say the number of Indians deported in 2025 could become the highest in US history.
Conclusion
The images of Indian men in chains on military planes reflect a deeper story: rising migration from India, stricter US policies, and growing tensions over jobs and security in America.
For the deportees, it is a personal tragedy.
For the US government, it is a political commitment.
For India, it is a challenge that raises questions about unemployment, migration pressure and the dangers of illegal routes.
One thing is certain: the tears, the chains, and the stories of these young men will continue to disturb and divide people on both sides of the world.
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