Controversy Erupts Over White House Deportation Video Featuring Shackled Immigrants

INIndia|

The White House sparked controversy on February 18, 2025, by posting a video titled "ASMR: Illegal Alien Deportation Flight," displaying shackled immigrants boarding a deportation flight from Seattle. The 41-second clip shows individuals in chains being escorted to an aircraft, raising concerns regarding the treatment of deportees, particularly those from India.

According to reports, some Indian deportees alleged that they were shackled for the duration of their flight, only being unshackled upon arrival in Amritsar on February 5. A former serviceman among the 116 deported claimed he faced physical hardship while traveling, describing extreme conditions involving prolonged hunger and threats from wildlife.

This video was initially shared by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office in Seattle, along with a statement labeling the flight as a "Removal Flight." The video's release has incited criticism from various advocacy groups, while X CEO Elon Musk also commented on it, sharing the White House's post with a dismissive remark.

Weekly Newsletter

Loading...

More from India

Noida Teacher Allegedly Assaults Special Needs Student, Parents File Complaint

A 10-year-old special needs student was reportedly assaulted by his teacher, Anil Kumar, at Green Ribbon International School in Noida, prompting his parents to file a first information report (FIR) on March 29, 2025. The incident came to light through a video shared on a school WhatsApp group, showing Kumar hitting the child when he struggled to answer questions during a lesson. The parents expressed their outrage, stating that they were assured of their child's safety and special attention at the school. They described the teacher's actions as "grossly inhuman" and a "crime against humanity." The video reportedly depicts not just verbal aggression but also physical violence, with the teacher shaking and hitting the child. Additionally, the parents have implicated the school’s principal and vice-principal, alleging they were aware of prior incidents of abuse and demanding accountability. The school has since promised that the teacher will face suspension. The parents emphasized the need for special care in education for children with disabilities, condemning the abuse as unacceptable.
INIndia

Declining Funding Threatens Global HIV Progress, Study Warns

A recent study published in The Lancet HIV predicts a potentially catastrophic increase in HIV infections and deaths due to diminishing international funding. Researchers at the Burnet Institute in Melbourne, Australia, warn that cuts in financial support could lead to 18 million new infections and 2.9 million AIDS-related deaths globally by 2030. This surge could reverse decades of progress made in combating the disease. According to the study, a 24% reduction in global HIV funding is anticipated by 2026, driven by cuts from major donor nations, including the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, and the Netherlands. These countries provide over 90% of international HIV aid, and their reduction in support—ranging from 8% to 70%—could severely impact prevention and treatment efforts. Dr. Debra Ten Brink from the Burnet Institute emphasized that the US withdrawal of support, particularly following the 2016 presidential election, has disrupted critical services including antiretroviral therapy and HIV testing. The study highlights that marginalized populations, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, will bear the brunt of these funding cuts, exacerbating existing disparities in HIV infection rates.
INIndia

India's GDP Surges to $4.3 Trillion, Doubling in a Decade

India's economy has surpassed $4.3 trillion, more than doubling in size over the last ten years and achieving a remarkable growth rate of 105%, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). This growth trajectory positions India to potentially overtake Japan and become the fourth-largest economy globally by the third quarter of 2025, with Japan's GDP currently at $4.4 trillion. Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal labeled India's economic performance as "outstanding," emphasizing that the nation outpaced major economies such as China, the USA, and Germany. During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's tenure, India's GDP increased from $2.1 trillion in 2015 to its current figure. India has accelerated its growth, taking just four years to transition from a $3 trillion to a $4 trillion economy, a significant improvement compared to the lengthy periods of earlier decades. If current trends continue, analysts suggest that India could reach a staggering $10 trillion economy by the end of 2032.
INIndia