Panaji, Jul 21 (PTI) Several youngsters from India, including Goa, are in jails and immigration detention centres in the United States of America “reportedly due to expired visas or lack of valid documentation”, AAP MLA Venzy Viegas said in the state assembly on Monday.
Raising the issue during Zero Hour, he said the situation was grave and needed immediate intervention of the government.
“A number of young individuals from India, including youth from Goa, have been arrested and are currently detained in jails and immigration detention centres in the United States reportedly due to expired visas or lack of valid documentation. Most of these detainees have not been able to contact their families, leaving their loved ones in distress and uncertainty,” Viegas said in the House.
Asserting the youth had primarily gone to USA in search of employment opportunities due to limited job prospects here, the AAP MLA said, ” I urge the (state) government to take up the matter with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy in the US to identify the detained individuals, facilitate communication with their families, and provide necessary legal and consular assistance.” Efforts must also be taken to address the root cause of this problem, which is unemployment in the state and country, he added.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant must intervene and assure the assembly that suitable and immediate steps will be taken, Viegas said.
Responding to the Zero Hour mention, CM Sawant urged the MLA to give details of the concerned youth so that the matter can be taken up with the Centre. PTI RPS BNM
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