By Kuldeep Mann
For years, the United States provided shelter and asylum to millions of undocumented immigrants from various parts of the world. However, under President Donald Trump, the country has taken a dramatically different approach, prioritizing the deportation of newly arrived illegal immigrants.
While enforcing immigration laws is within a nation’s rights, the methods employed by the U.S. in deporting undocumented individuals raise serious concerns about human rights. Many of these deportees endure inhumane treatment during their journey back to their home countries. They are often handcuffed for the entire duration of long-haul flights—some lasting up to 16 hours, such as those from the U.S. to India. This treatment dehumanizes them, reducing them to the status of criminals rather than individuals seeking a better future.
Beyond the physical hardship, deportation also tears families apart. Many of these individuals have relatives who managed to settle in the U.S. through similar means, creating emotional and social rifts that are difficult to mend. While it is true that entering a country illegally is a violation of the law, one must ask: who fostered the perception that the U.S. was a safe haven for undocumented immigrants? For decades, America welcomed millions of such individuals without scrutinizing their reasons for entry. Were all those granted asylum in the past truly victims of human rights violations, or did U.S. policies themselves encourage this influx?
President Trump has every right to enforce the law and curb illegal immigration. However, the manner in which deportations are carried out must reflect basic human dignity. Even animals are often transported without restraints. These are human beings—though undocumented, they deserve to be treated with humanity and respect. This is the bare minimum one should expect from a nation that upholds democratic and humanitarian values.
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