The Indian government is considering a new law named the ‘Overseas Mobility (Facilitation and Welfare) Bill, 2024’ following the deportation of over a hundred Indian migrants from the US. The bill aims to establish a framework for safe migration for overseas employment, highlighting challenges posed by stringent US immigration policies and ensuring better protection for Indian workers abroad.
New Delhi: The Indian government is “seriously considering” introducing a new law to create a structured framework for “safe, orderly, and regular migration for overseas employment.” This move comes in the wake of a controversy surrounding the deportation of over a hundred Indian migrants from the United States. These individuals arrived in Amritsar on a C-17 US military aircraft, chained and shackled, sparking widespread outrage.
The proposed ‘Overseas Mobility (Facilitation and Welfare) Bill, 2024’ was highlighted in a report presented in the Lok Sabha by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs, chaired by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, on Monday.
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The deported group consisted of 104 Indian nationals from various states—33 from Haryana and Gujarat, 30 from Punjab, three from Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, and two from Chandigarh. Among them were 19 women and 13 minors, including a four-year-old boy and two girls aged five and seven. These individuals were part of a broader US crackdown on illegal immigration.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar addressed the Parliament, stating,
“The government carefully monitors the number of students in all foreign countries and carefully monitors their welfare in situations of tension. We alert students, as we have done in Ukraine. Whenever there is a situation when we need to run flights, we are prepared. We have contingency plans.”
Tharoor acknowledged that deportations are common but criticized the aggressive nature of this particular action.
“It’s not the first time people have been deported. Last year, over 1,100 Indians were sent back under the Biden administration. But this case has drawn attention because it was done more aggressively,”
he remarked.
This incident underscores the tightening US immigration policies, which have led to an increase in detentions of Indian nationals attempting illegal entry. While legal avenues for migration remain accessible, many still risk dangerous routes through Mexico and Central America in search of better prospects.
The proposed Overseas Mobility Bill aims to address these challenges by offering a robust legal framework to protect and support Indian workers abroad, ensuring they migrate through safer, regulated channels. As the situation develops, the Indian government’s proactive approach may redefine how Indian nationals seek opportunities overseas while maintaining their safety and dignity.
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