DEPORTATIONS IN THE US MAY NOT BE AN ABERRATION

Relevance: GS 2 – Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests

Why in the News?

  • The recent events could be attributed to the genuine characteristics of American identity.
  • These incidents may reflect the authentic values, beliefs, and cultural traits inherent in the nation.
  • They might stem from the real-world expressions of American social, political, or historical realities.
  • The occurrences could be consequences of deeply rooted aspects of American society and its identity.

DEPORTATIONS IN THE US MAY NOT BE AN ABERRATION

(Image: A US military aircraft carrying 104 illegal Indian immigrants landed at Shri Guru Ramdas Ji International Airport in Amritsar on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, following their deportation from the United States, officials confirmed.)

The Arendt Conundrum and Recent Deportations

Hannah Arendt’s Perspective

  • German political philosopher Hannah Arendt (1906-1975), author of The Origins of Totalitarianism, viewed the United States as a non-imperialist world power.
  • She associated the U.S. with anti-totalitarianism, which shaped her perception of its political and social landscape.
  • Arendt, a German Jew who fled Nazi Germany in 1941, saw the U.S. as a refuge, making it difficult for her to connect American racial politics with global histories of colonialism and empire.
  • She argued that African-American resistance movements were separate from Europe’s colonial history in Africa, effectively delinking the U.S. from broader global trends.

Recent Deportations and Political Context

  • Arendt’s approach—analyzing totalitarianism globally but viewing American events in isolation—relates to recent deportations under the second Trump presidency.
  • Several individuals accused of “anti-Semitic” and “pro-terrorist” sympathies have faced deportation or detention.
  • Notable cases include:
    • Ranjani Srinivasan, a doctoral student, forced to leave the U.S.
    • Rasha Alawieh, a doctor and professor, deported.
    • Mahmoud Khalil, a Green Card holder, currently detained.
  • The conflation of criticism of the Israeli state with anti-Semitism plays a key role in these actions.
  • These measures are framed within the discourse of “national security” and “public safety,” reflecting how political ideologies shape legal and security policies.
  • Similar entanglements between national security and political narratives are evident in other parts of the world, including India.

American Identity, Individualism, and Deportations

American Identity and Its Global Footprint

  • American identity is arguably the most globally influential of all national identities.
  • The U.S. has an unparalleled transnational impact—financially, militarily, and culturally.
  • The concept of “global culture” is largely shaped by American norms and values.
  • Despite its universality, American identity remains rooted in unyielding provincialism.
  • For many Americans—including figures like President Donald Trump—deportations are not viewed as problematic, as American culture is often seen as self-contained and self-defined.
  • Expulsions are not solely a Republican-driven policy but a broader American phenomenon.

The Historical and Legal Basis of Deportations

  • The 18th-century Alien Enemies Act, initially meant for wartime use, is now being invoked by the current U.S. administration.
  • Given America’s historical self-perception as a fortress-culture, there is little public resistance to its application.
  • Fortresses are often imagined as under constant threat of invasion and siege, justifying aggressive state action.

American Individualism vs. State Power

  • American identity is deeply tied to individualism and a conflictual relationship with centralized state power.
  • This tension is reflected in popular folklore and legal frameworks, where the “outlaw” symbolizes self-reliance, directness, and defiance of hierarchies.
  • The outlaw is seen as a defender of two core American values: individual action and liberty.
  • Constitutional safeguards, such as the First Amendment (protecting against state interference in religious activity) and the Second Amendment (the right to bear arms), formally express these ideals.

The Paradox of Public Apathy Toward State Power

  • Despite the deeply rooted cultural suspicion of government overreach, the current deportations highlight a lack of mass opposition.
  • In cases like Rasha Alawieh and members of Venezuelan and Salvadorian gangs, the American state bypassed judicial orders, carrying out deportations despite legal interventions.
  • Surprisingly, there have been no widespread protests, even though American mythology is built on defending individual liberties against state power.

Cultural Exceptionalism and Its Consequences

  • The deportations reflect real, rather than imagined, aspects of American identity and culture.
  • The shock at recent events reveals a form of cultural exceptionalism—the tendency to view American society as uniquely principled and exceptional.
  • This mindset allows societies like the U.S. to escape accountability, as their actions are often perceived as deviations rather than inherent systemic practices.

Way Forward

Diplomatic Engagement:

  • Strengthen diplomatic channels with the U.S. to protect the rights of Indian students, professionals, and residents facing potential deportation.
  • Advocate for fair legal processes and ensure due process is followed in deportation cases involving Indian nationals.

Legal Assistance and Support:

  • Establish legal aid cells at Indian consulates in the U.S. to assist deportees with legal representation and appeal processes.
  • Collaborate with civil rights organizations and legal experts to challenge arbitrary deportations.

Policy Advocacy and Bilateral Negotiations:

  • Leverage bilateral platforms to discuss the impact of U.S. immigration policies on Indian citizens.
  • Advocate for the protection of work visa holders and international students from sudden policy changes.

Strengthening Community Networks:

  • Enhance support networks for the Indian diaspora to offer assistance with legal, financial, and emotional challenges.
  • Encourage community organizations to raise awareness and lobby against unjust deportation practices.

Monitoring and Documentation:

  • Monitor and document cases of wrongful deportations involving Indian nationals.
  • Use this data to highlight concerns in diplomatic discussions and multilateral forums.

Domestic Preparedness and Reintegration:

  • Formulate policies to support the reintegration of deported Indian citizens, including skill development and employment assistance.
  • Establish grievance redressal mechanisms to address the concerns of returnees.

Collaboration with Global Allies:

  • Partner with other nations affected by U.S. deportation policies to advocate for fair and transparent immigration practices.
  • Use platforms like the UNHRC or G20 to highlight concerns over arbitrary deportations and human rights violations.

Source:https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/deportations-in-the-us-may-not-be-an-aberration-9899211/

Mains question

The recent deportations under the second Trump presidency highlight the tension between American individualism and state power. Discuss the implications of this for India-U.S. relations and global human rights. (250 words)