Punjab, February 6:
Punjab’s long-standing fascination with settling abroad has taken a devastating turn for many families as 104 Indian nationals, mostly from Punjab, were deported from the United States. These young men had left home with dreams of securing a prosperous future but returned in handcuffs, leaving their families burdened with debt, grief, and uncertainty.
A Painful Homecoming: Families Welcome Their Sons with Tears, Not Celebrations
On Wednesday, a special U.S. Air Force aircraft landed in Amritsar, carrying the deported individuals, most of whom had taken dangerous, illegal routes to enter America. Their parents, who had waited for news of their success, were instead met with heartbreak. Many stood outside the airport, unable to hold back their tears.
“We Sold Our Land for His Future, Now We Have Nothing”: Parents Struggle with Debt and Regret
Pradeep Singh, a 21-year-old from Mohali, was one of the deportees. His family spent ₹42 lakh, selling half of their land, hoping he would secure a better future in the U.S. But after just ten days, he was caught and sent back. His mother, covering her face in grief, said:
“We sacrificed everything for him to go abroad. Now, we don’t know how we will survive. The government must help him find a job here.”
His father, a struggling farmer, added, “Had we known the risks, we would have used the money to start a business here instead.”
“Our Son Was Gone for Just 20 Days, But We Lost ₹50 Lakh”
Another heartbreaking story comes from Fatehgarh Sahib, where a family spent ₹50 lakh on their son’s journey. He left for the U.S. in October and reached in January—only to be deported 20 days later. His father, a small landowner, remains in shock, unable to speak about the devastating loss.
The Risky Journey: Trapped in the Hands of Smugglers
Most of these young men took illegal routes, paying ₹40-50 lakh to agents who promised them safe entry into the U.S. Many endured life-threatening conditions—hiding in forests, starving for days, and walking across deserts—only to be caught at the border and sent back.
Jaswinder Singh from Fatehgarh Sahib spent ₹45 lakh on his journey, hoping to enter America illegally through Mexico. But he was arrested at the border and deported. His father, who runs a small dairy shop, now struggles under heavy debt.
“They Promised a Legal Visa, But Sent Him Through the Jungle”
Harvinder Singh from Tanda had a similar fate. His wife, Kuljinder Kaur, revealed that an agent took ₹42 lakh, promising legal papers. Instead, her husband was smuggled through a dangerous route in Latin America. He was caught, detained, and sent back—his dreams shattered, his family burdened with debt.
Families Left with Debt and No Hope
For some families, the loss is even greater. Swaran Singh from Amritsar spent ₹65 lakh—selling land and taking a loan—to send his son, Aakashdeep Singh, abroad. Aakashdeep traveled through Dubai and Mexico but was caught at the border and deported.
“We had no choice but to send him abroad. There are no jobs here. Now, we have lost everything,” said Swaran Singh, his voice filled with pain.
The Bigger Picture: Why Are Punjab’s Youth Taking Such Huge Risks?
Experts say Punjab’s youth are desperate to leave because they see no future in India. Farming is no longer profitable, and job opportunities are scarce. Many are influenced by stories of relatives who found success abroad, making them willing to take extreme risks.
Sukhwinder Kaur, a farmers’ union leader, explains:
“The dollar-to-rupee value is a major attraction. Families believe that once their children go abroad, they will earn well and support them. But they don’t realize the dangers of illegal migration.”
The Role of Human Smugglers: Exploiting Desperation for Profit
Fraudulent agents take advantage of desperate families, charging them lakhs with false promises. Many young men end up in detention centers, their documents stolen, their money lost. Some migrants even face violence and starvation before they reach the U.S.
“If There Were Jobs Here, Our Sons Wouldn’t Risk Their Lives”
Lakhwinder Singh, the village head of Chamaru in Patiala, believes the government must act now.
“If Punjab had better jobs, these young men wouldn’t take such dangerous routes. The government must create employment opportunities to stop this crisis.”
What’s Next? Families Plead for Government Help
Now, families are urging the Punjab government to step in. They want action against fraudulent agents and job opportunities for the deported youth. Without support, these young men face an uncertain future, trapped in debt and despair.
Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call for Punjab
The heartbreaking stories of these deported youths highlight a major crisis in Punjab. While the dream of settling abroad remains strong, the risks of illegal migration are severe. Until India provides better opportunities, this cycle of migration, financial ruin, and broken dreams will continue.
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