A recent X post by the White House ignited a storm of controversy with critics calling it ‘inhumane’ showing the barbaric and dictatorial nature of the ‘regime’ in the US. The video depicts deportees being shackled and handcuffed before boarding a deportation flight, accompanied by the caption: “ASMR: Illegal Alien Deportation Flight.”
The term ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response) refers to a tingling sensation that some individuals experience as a form of relaxation and stress relief when exposed to certain sounds. The intended sounds in the video in question take the form of the chains and shackles being dropped on the floor and dragged across the ramp of the flight. The usage of this term into the context of a deportation flight has been widely condemned as insensitive and dehumanizing.
Dehumanization of Deportees
The video shows individuals being restrained with handcuffs and leg irons before ascending the steps of an aircraft. While the exact destination and origin of the deportees remain unclear, reports indicate that the United State has deported 332 Indian nationals in three separate batches on Febuary 5, 15, and 16, with all the flights landing in Amritsar, Punjab. The deportation flights, conducted on military aircraft, are expected to continue every other week as part of President Donald Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration.
Tesla CEO, senior adviser to Trump and the head of the Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE), commented on the post with a dismissive comment “Haha wow 🧌🏅”, drawing intense criticism.
India’s response
The video also sparked a heated debate in the Indian Parliament, where opposition lawmakers accused the US of treating deportees with “unnecessary harshness.” India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar assured that India would take up the matter with the US government. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during a recent bilateral meeting with Trump, reiterated India’s stance on taking illegal immigrants back, which is full assistance if they are proven to be Indian citizens. However, he reportedly raised concerns of handing of deportations, also emphasized the broader issue of human trafficking, which has contributed to the illegal migration crisis.
ICE defends the restraints
The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has defended its use of restraints, stating that shackling and handcuffing deportees have been standard procedures since 2012 to prevent incidents during flights. However, the recent portrayals – particularly in the context of a social media post that apparently trivialized the deportation process – has reignited debates over human rights and the dignity of deportees.
Several immigrant advocacy groups and human rights advocates have condemned the White House’s approach of ostensibly taking pleasure and pride in the deportation of the immigrants, drawing parallels with authoritarian and totalitarian regimes. Critics argue that the ‘ASMR’ terminology in this context is just tone-deaf and cruel, and it turns a serious issue into a social media spectacle.
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Manbilas Singh is a talented writer and journalist who focuses on the finer details in every story and values integrity above everything. A self-proclaimed sleuth, he strives to expose the fine print behind seemingly mundane activities and aims to uncover the truth that is hidden from the general public. In his time away from work, he is a music aficionado and a nerd who revels in video & board games, books and Formula 1.
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