‘Detained, handcuffed, and left in the cold’: Punjab woman shares ordeal after US deportation

Chandigarh : Muskan, a resident of Jagraon in Punjab’s Ludhiana district, was among 104 Indians deported from the United States after being detained near the US-Mexico border. She was held in a military camp for 10 days before being flown back to India.

Muskan’s family had sold land and taken a loan to send her to England on January 5, 2024, where she was pursuing business management at CU University.

While studying, she also worked part-time at a hotel. Despite holding a valid UK visa, she traveled to Tijuana, Mexico, for a visit. However, upon reaching the US-Mexico border, she was detained along with 40 others.

According to Muskan, US soldiers handcuffed and transported them to a military camp, where they were kept in separate rooms for men and women.

She described the conditions as harsh, with continuous air conditioning and only thin sheets for warmth. However, she noted that the soldiers treated them well and provided medical care when needed.

On February 5, Muskan was deported to India, arriving at Amritsar International Airport without prior notice to her family. Her return has left her family in shock, as they had hoped she would settle abroad and later support her younger sisters.

The deportations come amid the US administration’s ongoing crackdown on illegal border crossings.