Karnal, Oct. 28 -- "I was shackled for 25 hours on the flight and even sent to the washroom in chains. My feet are swollen, and the pain goes up to my knees. Are we criminals or what? We were just working hard to earn money," said 45-year-old Harjinder Singh from Ambala, his voice trembling as he sat beside his parents, showing his swollen feet.

Harjinder was among 53 men from Haryana who were deported from the United States on Saturday night for allegedly staying in the country illegally.

A special flight carrying them landed at Delhi airport after a nearly 25-hour journey - one that they describe as humiliating.

According to officials, among the 53 deportees, 16 were from Karnal, followed by 14 from Kaithal, five each from Ambala and...