Deportation of Illegal Immigrants Continues; Concerns Over ‘Donkey Route’ and Human Trafficking Grow

Third Batch of Deportees Arrives in Amritsar Amidst Rising Concerns on Human Smuggling Networks

Amritsar (Punjab) [India], February 17 – The deportation of Indian nationals who illegally migrated to the United States continues, with the third batch of deportees landing in Amritsar on Sunday. The flight, carrying 112 individuals, followed a similar aircraft that brought back 116 deportees a day earlier.

Amritsar Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney confirmed the arrival, stating that the returnees were provided with essential supplies, including food and basic necessities. “112 people have arrived on this flight. Their immigration process is ongoing. We have ensured they have everything they need, including food, diapers, and formula. Arrangements have been made for their return home,” Sawhney told reporters.

This is the third such deportation flight in recent weeks, reflecting heightened efforts by U.S. authorities to curb illegal immigration. The first batch of deportees arrived on February 5, marking the beginning of a large-scale repatriation initiative.

Punjab CM Assures Support for Deportees

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann assured that the deportees were being treated with dignity and provided with necessary assistance. “Our children are returning home, and we will ensure that they do not go hungry. Temporary arrangements for food and accommodation have been made. The Ministry of External Affairs has also booked flights for them to travel to their respective states,” Mann said in a press briefing.

PM Modi Calls for Action Against Human Trafficking

The increasing number of deportations has reignited discussions on human trafficking networks that facilitate illegal migration. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a joint press conference with U.S. President Donald Trump on February 13, reaffirmed India’s commitment to accepting verified Indian nationals staying illegally in the U.S.

“Those who stay in other countries illegally do not have a legal right to be there. As far as India and the U.S. are concerned, we have always maintained that verified Indian citizens living illegally in the U.S. will be taken back,” Modi stated.

He emphasized the need to dismantle human trafficking networks that deceive people with false promises of a better life abroad. “Many of these individuals come from ordinary families and fall prey to deceptive agents. The real battle is against the system of human trafficking, and we are confident that President Trump will collaborate with India to eradicate this ecosystem from its roots,” Modi added.

‘Donkey Route’: A Dangerous and Exploitative Journey

The deportations have also shed light on the dangerous ‘Donkey Route,’ a perilous network used by traffickers to smuggle people into the U.S. illegally. Mandeep Singh, a deportee from the second batch, described the harrowing journey he endured.

Singh revealed that he paid ₹40 lakh to an agent who promised legal migration but instead routed him through multiple countries, including Kenya, the Netherlands, Suriname, Guyana, Bolivia, Ecuador, Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala, and Mexico before he reached the U.S. border.

During the journey through the Panama jungles, Singh and others faced extreme conditions, encountering crocodiles and snakes while surviving on minimal food supplies. He recounted the fear, hunger, and exploitation he experienced, with fellow migrants warning each other against asking too many questions to avoid being harmed.

Upon reaching Mexico, Singh was forced to trim his beard, a traumatic experience for him as a devout Sikh. Eventually, he was arrested by U.S. Border Patrol in Tijuana and deported back to India.

U.S. Crackdown on Illegal Immigration Intensifies

Since President Trump’s swearing-in on January 20, the U.S. has intensified efforts to deport undocumented immigrants. Three batches of deportees, totaling 332 individuals, have already been returned to India.

The rapid deportations have raised concerns about human trafficking networks exploiting desperate migrants, particularly from Punjab and Gujarat, who pay exorbitant sums to agents for false promises of reaching the U.S. legally.

A Call for Action Against Traffickers

The ongoing deportations highlight the urgent need to combat human trafficking networks operating across multiple countries. While India has committed to taking back its nationals, the larger issue of illegal migration through the ‘Donkey Route’ remains a major concern.

Authorities must strengthen laws, increase public awareness, and crack down on agents who exploit vulnerable individuals. As deportations continue, it is crucial that India and the U.S. collaborate to dismantle these criminal networks, ensuring that no more lives are endangered in pursuit of an American dream built on deception.

***