US deportee claims torture, forced turban removal.
Close to midnight on Saturday, Jaswinder was among the second batch of Indian nationals deported by the United States. The journey was a harrowing experience for him, marked by distressing moments of humiliation and discomfort. Upon his detention, he was forced to remove all his clothes, including his turban, an act that deeply affected him both emotionally and mentally. Throughout the journey back to India, he remained without his turban, feeling stripped of his dignity and religious identity. It was only upon landing at Amritsar airport that he was finally able to put his turban back on, regaining a sense of comfort and belonging after a deeply traumatic ordeal.
US Deportation Trauma: Punjab Youth Alleges Mental Torture, Forced Turban Removal
Close to midnight on Saturday, Jaswinder Singh, a 21-year-old from Pandori Arian village in Dharamkot, Moga district, was among the second batch of Indian nationals deported by the United States. His journey to the US had been fraught with challenges, beginning with his family’s desperate efforts to fund his migration. To raise Rs 44 lakh, they sold their 1.5 kila of land, mortgaged their modest two-room house, and even parted with their buffaloes, all in hopes of securing a future for Jaswinder in America.
However, dreams of a better life quickly turned into a nightmare when Jaswinder was detained by US authorities after crossing the US-Mexico border illegally on January 27. He was held in a detention center for nearly 20 days, facing what he described as mental and physical hardships.
Stripped of Identity and Dignity
Speaking to The Indian Express, Jaswinder recounted his ordeal, revealing that as soon as he was detained, he was ordered to remove all his clothes, including his turban. “They asked me to strip completely. We were only allowed to wear a T-shirt, lower, socks, and shoes. Even our shoelaces were taken away,” he said.
For Sikh men, the turban is not just a piece of clothing but a sacred symbol of faith and identity. Jaswinder and other Sikh detainees pleaded with the authorities to at least return their turbans, but their requests were denied. he recalled. “For the entire time at the detention center, we were not allowed to cover our heads.”
Jaswinder described the humiliation of being without his turban for nearly three weeks, a period during which he felt stripped of his dignity and religious identity. It was only upon reaching Amritsar airport that he was finally able to retrieve his luggage and wrap his head with a parna (a cloth worn by Sikh men to cover their heads).
A Grueling Deportation Process
Jaswinder further alleged that the ordeal continued during their deportation. According to him, they were transported on a US military plane, where their hands and feet were shackled.
He described the journey as harrowing, recounting how they were constantly reprimanded if they tried to stand up and stretch. “If anyone stood up even for a minute, the US authorities on board would scold us and force us to sit down,” he said. The detainees shivered in the biting cold, given only thin plastic sheets for warmth, which were insufficient against the harsh temperatures.
The Rise in Deportations and Concerns Over Treatment
Jaswinder’s experience is not an isolated incident. Over the past year, there has been a significant increase in the number of Indian nationals, particularly from Punjab, attempting to enter the United States illegally through the US-Mexico border. Many of them take perilous routes, facilitated by agents who charge exorbitant fees, often leaving families financially crippled.
As deportations rise, concerns over the treatment of detainees in US detention centers have also intensified. Human rights organizations have repeatedly highlighted issues such as inhumane conditions, mental distress, and the lack of religious accommodations for detainees.
For Sikh migrants, the removal of turbans in detention centers is a particularly sensitive issue, as it directly challenges their religious beliefs. Advocacy groups have urged US authorities to adopt more culturally sensitive policies to ensure detainees are treated with dignity.
Hopes Dashed, Families Left in Debt
For Jaswinder and his family, the deportation marks the end of a costly and painful chapter. The financial burden of his failed migration attempt now weighs heavily on his family. With their land mortgaged, house at risk, and savings depleted, the future remains uncertain.
His experience serves as a stark warning to other young aspirants seeking illegal routes to the US. “I wanted a better future, but now I have returned with nothing but scars—mental and financial,” he said.
As he steps back into his village in Punjab, the dream of America seems like a distant mirage, replaced by the harsh reality of loss and regret. His family, once hopeful of his success abroad, now faces the challenge of rebuilding their lives from scratch.
With increasing deportations and migrant struggles making headlines, Jaswinder’s story highlights the urgent need for awareness and policy interventions to protect vulnerable individuals from exploitation while ensuring humane treatment for those caught in the immigration system.
For now, Jaswinder finds solace in being back on his homeland, wearing his turban once again—an act that symbolizes not just faith, but also resilience in the face of adversity.