MAPUSA
Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas raised concerns in the Goa Legislative Assembly over young Indians, including Goans, detained in US immigration centres and jails for visa violations and lacking valid documents. Speaking during Zero Hour, Viegas said many detainees cannot contact their families in India, leaving their loved ones in distress.
“It is further disturbing to note that most of these detainees have not been able to contact their families, leaving them in complete distress,” he said.
The AAP MLA added that these youth had left India due to limited job opportunities. “This is not merely a legal issue; it is a humanitarian one that requires urgent government intervention,” he stated.
Viegas urged the State government to take up the issue with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy in the US to identify all detainees, facilitate communication with families, and provide legal and consular help.
He also asked the government to tackle unemployment to prevent risky migration.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant acknowledged the issue and said the State would take it up with the Centre once details are submitted.
