PANAJI: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant has assured the House that the government will look into the issue of Goans detained in the United States for overstaying or working without valid visas. The Chief Minister said that his office will monitor the situation and coordinate with the Indian consulate and relevant authorities to address the matter.
“The Chief Minister’s Office will monitor the situation and approach the concerned authorities, including the Indian consulate,” Sawant assured after AAP MLA Venzy Viegas raised the issue during Zero Hour Mention in the Goa Legislative Assembly today.
Drawing attention to the plight of several Indians, including Goan youth, who are currently languishing in US jails and immigration detention centres, Viegas said that the arrests were reportedly due to expired visas or lack of documentation.
“What is more disturbing,” Viegas added, “is that most of these detainees have been unable to contact their families back in India, leaving their loved ones in distress and uncertainty.”
He pointed out that most of these youth had travelled to the US in search of employment opportunities due to limited prospects in Goa and the country. He called it a humanitarian issue that requires urgent government intervention.
Urging the State government to take up the matter with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy in the US, the AAP MLA placed three specific demands: identify the number of Goans who have been detained, facilitate communication between them and their families, and provide legal and consular assistance, particularly in cases involving expired passports or documentation.
He further urged that a dedicated team or committee be formed to liaise with US authorities and that he was willing to be part of such an initiative.
“This is a matter of deep concern. I request the Chief Minister to give us an assurance and take immediate steps to ensure our youth are not forced into such desperate situations in the future due to unemployment,” he said.
