Deported Indian immigrants reveal shocking details of dangerous ‘Donkey Route’ to US

World news: A C-17 military aircraft from the United States recently landed in Amritsar, Punjab, carrying 104 Indian nationals who were deported for illegal immigration. Among them, many shared chilling accounts of their perilous journey, describing their struggle to enter the U.S. through a treacherous path known as the "donkey route." These immigrants, who had traveled from various Indian states, recounted tales of exploitation, hardship, and deception during their journey.

The gruesome 'Donkey Route' experience

One of the deported nationals from Punjab revealed the horrors of their illegal trek across continents. The individual claimed that their journey started in Italy before moving to Latin America. “Our clothes, worth ₹30,000-35,000, were stolen along the way,” they shared. According to the deportee, the journey included a 15-hour-long boat ride, followed by a grueling 40-45 km walk. "We crossed 17-18 hills. If one slipped, there was no chance of survival. We saw many people get injured, and those who couldn’t keep up were abandoned,” the deportee added, visibly shaken by the memories.

Dead bodies left behind in the harsh terrain

The deported individual further explained the harsh conditions they endured, witnessing dead bodies along the way. "We saw dead bodies scattered on the path. If anyone got hurt, there was no one to help them," they recounted. Their words paint a grim picture of the danger these immigrants faced in their quest to enter the U.S. illegally.

A deceptive promise of legal entry

Another deported individual, Jaspal Singh, shared his experience of being duped by a travel agent who promised him a legal path to the U.S. Singh claimed that he had paid ₹30 lakh for the service. "I asked the agent to send me with a proper visa, but he deceived me," Singh said. According to him, he was flown to Brazil in July last year with the expectation that the next leg of the journey to the U.S. would also be done legally by air. However, Singh was forced to cross the border illegally when the agent’s promises fell through.

Stranded in Brazil and captured by U.S. border patrol

After spending six months in Brazil, Singh attempted to cross the border into the U.S., only to be arrested by U.S. Border Patrol officers. "I had trusted the agent, but I was deceived," he lamented, revealing the extent of the betrayal he had faced. Singh’s tale is a stark reminder of the risks many individuals take in pursuit of a better life, often falling prey to unscrupulous agents who promise a brighter future.

Increased awareness and action needed

The deportation of 104 individuals from various states, including Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Chandigarh, raises critical concerns about illegal immigration networks and human trafficking. The need for greater awareness, support for legal immigration routes, and harsher penalties for exploitative agents has never been more urgent.

These harrowing accounts shed light on the dark reality faced by many who seek to escape their circumstances, only to find themselves trapped in a cycle of deception and danger.