Amritsar, India – A 23-year-old Indian man, Jatinder Singh, deported from the US along with 111 others, has made harrowing allegations of torture and mistreatment in a US detention camp. Singh claims his religious rights were violated when his turban was forcibly removed and thrown in the dustbin. He also alleges physical and psychological abuse, including being shackled for 36 hours during the deportation flight back to India.Singh’s account details a

disturbing experience. He says he was detained after attempting to enter the US illegally in November 2024. During his two-week stay in the detention facility, he claims he faced inhumane conditions. He described being subjected to extreme temperature fluctuations, inadequate food (only chips and juice), and the desecration of his turban, a significant article of faith for Sikhs.Driven by a lack of job opportunities in Amritsar, Singh had paid an agent Rs 50 lakh (approximately $6,000 USD) to facilitate his journey to the US.

He sold family land and jewelry to raise the funds. The agent promised a safe passage through Panama and Mexico, but abandoned Singh midway through the perilous journey. Singh recounted witnessing the bodies of other migrants in the Panama jungle, a traumatic experience.

Upon reaching the US border, he was apprehended and detained. He alleges that the torture he experienced in the detention camp was a deliberate attempt to break his spirit. Furthermore, he claims he was shackled for the entire 36-hour deportation flight, while other deportees, including children, were not. This, he says, caused significant discomfort and limited access to basic necessities like food and restrooms.Singh’s story highlights the risks and dangers faced by individuals attempting to enter the US illegally. It also raises serious questions about the treatment of detainees in US detention centers. The US has now deported 332 illegal Indian immigrants on three separate flights. Singh says he will now seek employment in India and has given up on his dream of working abroad.