Punjab, February 27:
A recent report has revealed that individuals attempting to reach the United States through the illegal ‘dunki’ route have collectively paid around Rs 44.70 crore to agents. Punjab government data indicates that these undocumented immigrants travel through at least 32 countries before reaching the US, only to face deportation in many cases.
According to an investigation by The Indian Express, analysis of 19 FIRs has exposed the widespread network of agents facilitating illegal immigration through countries such as China, Guinea, Kenya, Egypt, Czech Republic, and Belarus. Out of the 36 agents named in these FIRs, five reside abroad despite having roots in Punjab, while the rest are from Punjab and Haryana.
Additionally, one of the accused is a farm union leader from Moga who was allegedly running an immigration business.
Most deportees seeking these agents’ services hail from small towns and villages, often spending between three months to a year on their arduous journeys, which frequently end in deportation. The report highlights that agents collect money in installments from family members back home. In several instances, families were forced to pay additional amounts under pressure, with agents threatening to halt the process if payments were not made.
A 36-year-old truck driver, Jaspal Singh from Gurdaspur, named two Punjab based agents currently residing in Spain and Germany. He claimed they charged him Rs 30 lakh, promising legal passage to the US, but ultimately took him through the illegal ‘dunki’ route. Similarly, other individuals reported paying up to Rs 60 lakh, only to fail in their attempts to settle in the US.
One such case involved 41-year-old Harwinder Singh, who paid Rs 42 lakh to agents. His initial attempt led him from India to Thailand and China before he was forced to return to Mumbai. On a second attempt, he reached Brazil and attempted to cross the treacherous Darien Gap, a dense jungle region that connects South and North America. This perilous journey required crossing rainforests, rivers, and mountains before reaching the Mexican border.
Many deportees reported being misled with false promises of travel on cruise ships and flights, only to endure grueling treks and boat rides. Some were even sent to unexpected destinations like Prague or Spain instead of the US. One individual recounted spending three days in a Russian prison after being caught trying to cross the Russia-Belarus border illegally. Despite repeated failures, some individuals persisted and eventually reached the US.
Since February 5, three deportation flights have returned 333 illegal Indian immigrants from the US to India. Among them, 126 were from Punjab, 110 from Haryana, and 74 from Gujarat.
In response to the growing crisis, the Punjab Police has formed a four-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the network of human traffickers. The team, led by ADGP (NRI Affairs) PK Sinha, is working closely with cybercrime units, financial bodies, and central agencies to uncover the full extent of the smuggling syndicate. Authorities have urged victims to step forward, assuring strict legal action against those responsible.
Director General of Police Punjab, Gaurav Yadav, reaffirmed the state police’s commitment to dismantling fraudulent immigration networks and protecting citizens from such exploitative practices.
About The Author
