Watch | Another viral video of shackled deportees sparks outrage amid Trump’s immigration crackdown
PTC Web Desk: A video shared by the White House showing handcuffed and shackled deportees boarding a flight has sparked widespread outrage. The footage, posted on the White House’s official X account with the caption "ASMR: Illegal Alien Deportation Flight," has drawn criticism for its dehumanising portrayal of deported immigrants.
The video comes amid former US President Donald Trump’s intensified crackdown on illegal immigration, with individuals from countries like India, Pakistan, Guatemala, Afghanistan, and China being forcibly sent back to their homelands.
ASMR: Illegal Alien Deportation Flight ???? pic.twitter.com/O6L1iYt9b4
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) February 18, 2025
The controversial post gained further attention after billionaire and Trump ally Elon Musk reshared it, reacting with a dismissive "Haha wow." His response was met with heavy backlash, with users calling it "disgusting" and "pathetic." Critics argued that deportation should not be treated as entertainment and emphasised the need for humane policies.
Notably, the use of shackles has been a standard operating procedure (SOP) of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) since 2012. However, the video has reignited debates over the treatment of deportees, with human rights activists from India, Guatemala, and other countries condemning the practice.
India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar addressed the concerns, stating that while the SOP remains in place, the focus should be on tackling the illegal migration industry. Meanwhile, it remains unclear whether Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi raised this issue during his recent meeting with Trump at the White House.tion
- With inputs from agencies
