Jatinder Singh, one of the 112 Indian immigrants recently deported from the United States to Amritsar, described his traumatic two-week experience in detention in the U.S. He leveled allegations of maltreatment and substandard food, and said that he was compelled to take off his turban by U.S. Army officers, who discarded it.
At just 23 years old, Singh sought better employment opportunities abroad to support his family, citing limited options in Amritsar. His journey began with the hopes of a brighter future, but it ended in disappointment when he was apprehended after crossing the U.S. border on November 27 last year. “They made me remove my turban, despite my objections,” he recounted.
Singh chronicled the punitive treatment within the detention camp, where he received only minimum feed—Frooti juice and Lay’s chips twice a day. Throughout the flight from Pakistan to India, he underwent the experience of being manacled for nearly 36 hours, while others were reportedly not under such disability.
After he hired an agent in November 2024, Singh had spent Rs 50 lakh on arranging transportation to the U.S., his relatives having to pawn land and jewels to fund the perilous crossing. The agent had assured him of a secure crossing, but Singh soon had to navigate through the treacherous jungles of Panama and saw bodies of other immigrants lying along the trail.
The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) has asked for an explanation of how the deported immigrants were treated. SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami demanded action against officials who stripped turbans, stating, “Our children should not face such indignities.”
With 332 illegal Indian immigrants deported on multiple flights, the incident is raising serious questions regarding the treatment of individuals who travel abroad in search of a better life.
