Reports that Indian migrants deported from the United States in February 2025 were shackled throughout their flight sparked outrage in the South Asian nation, but a video and photo of cuffed individuals shared on social media were taken during earlier deportation flights.

The flight appeared to be the first use of an American military aircraft to deport people to India, which is one of the top sources of illegal immigration to the United States.

The Indian government has formally raised concerns with the US administration over the treatment of 104 alleged Indian immigrants who were deported on 5 February aboard a 42-hour US military flight, reported The Hindu.

A U.S. military plane carrying 104 deported Indian migrants has arrived in a northern Indian city, the first such flight to the country as part of a crackdown ordered by the Trump administration, airport officials said.

Lawmakers and protestors were seen demonstrating outside India’s parliament following the deportation of around 100 Indian migrants back to the country from the US. Following footage released by the US Border Patrol showing migrants in shackles while boarding the plane before the 40-hour flight,