A fresh wave of illegal Indian immigrants deported from the United States arrived in Amritsar on Saturday night, sharing harrowing accounts of their return journey. Among them, Daljit Singh, a native of Punjab’s Hoshiarpur district, claimed that deportees were shackled with handcuffs and chained at the legs throughout their flight back to India.
“Our legs were chained, and hands were also cuffed,” Singh told reporters in Hoshiarpur, visibly shaken by the experience.
This marks the second batch of deportations in recent weeks, bringing 116 Indian nationals back home under the US government’s crackdown on illegal immigration. Many of these individuals had entered the United States through the notorious ‘donkey route’, a dangerous and illegal pathway used by human traffickers to smuggle people across international borders.
The Deceptive Journey: How Migrants Were Lured into a Trap
Daljit Singh’s wife, Kamalpreet Kaur, revealed that her husband had been deceived by a travel agent who falsely promised a direct flight to the US but instead forced him onto a circuitous and perilous journey through multiple countries.
“A man from our village introduced us to a travel agent who assured us a legal entry into the US. But soon, Daljit found himself moving through different countries in secrecy, raising suspicions,” Kaur said.
The ‘donkey route’ is a common method used by human traffickers to smuggle people into North America via South and Central America. Migrants often face extreme hardships, including treacherous jungle crossings, dangerous river routes, extortion, and detainment by border authorities. Many spend months in detention centers before being deported.
Second Wave of Deportations Under US Crackdown
The deportation flight, a US military C-17 aircraft, landed at Amritsar International Airport at 11:35 PM on Saturday. After an immigration and security screening, the deportees from Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and other states were handed over to their respective authorities.
“The process continued until 4:30 AM on Sunday, with many deportees escorted home by the police,” a local official confirmed.
The Haryana government also made special arrangements to transport deportees from the state.
This latest deportation is part of a wider initiative by the US government to curb illegal immigration. The Trump administration had tightened border controls and increased deportations, targeting thousands of undocumented migrants living in the country.
The Illusion of the American Dream: Broken Hopes and Desperate Measures
For most deported migrants, the journey to the US was fueled by dreams of a better life, higher earnings, and financial security for their families. However, many fell victim to fraudulent agents, losing huge sums of money—sometimes up to ₹40-50 lakh ($50,000-$60,000)—only to end up being detained and deported.
“We trusted our agent blindly, hoping for a brighter future. But instead, we were caught and sent back in shackles,” said a 25-year-old deportee from Gujarat, who requested anonymity.
Reports suggest that in 2024 alone, over 5,000 Indians were caught at the US-Mexico border, with most originating from Punjab and Haryana. Many end up in detention centers for months before being flown back under strict security measures.
A Third Deportation Flight Expected Soon
According to sources, the US government has planned another deportation flight, expected to land at Amritsar airport in the coming days.
“A third batch, consisting of 157 deportees, is likely to arrive on Sunday,” a source revealed.
With increasing US border controls and a crackdown on illegal immigration, experts predict that more deportations are imminent, affecting thousands of Indian migrants seeking unauthorized entry into the US.
The Bigger Picture: Rising Human Trafficking and the Need for Awareness
The alarming rise in illegal migration cases has triggered urgent discussions about the role of human traffickers and the exploitation of desperate migrants. Authorities urge potential immigrants to be cautious and verify the legitimacy of travel agents before making life-altering decisions.
The Indian government is also considering stricter regulations on travel agents who mislead people into illegal immigration routes.
“We must educate our citizens about the dangers of illegal migration and the risks associated with the ‘donkey route,’” an immigration official stated.
The tragic stories of deported Indian migrants highlight the harsh realities of illegal immigration. False promises, financial losses, dangerous journeys, and deportations have left many families shattered.
As global immigration policies tighten, awareness and informed decision-making become crucial in preventing more innocent lives from falling prey to deceitful agents and human trafficking networks.
For those still considering unauthorized migration routes, the recent deportations serve as a stark warning—the American Dream should never come at the cost of dignity, safety, and legal repercussions.
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