Illegal Indian Immigrants Deported From US: What Is 'Donkey Route' & How It Works?

The United States has sent back 104 illegal Indians on US military aircraft which landed in Amritsar on Wednesday as the Trump administration cracks down on illegal immigration. The deportees, hailing from multiple states including Haryana, Gujarat, Punjab, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Chandigarh, had entered the US illegally using what is commonly referred to as the 'donkey route.'

Among the deportees, Jaspal Singh spoke about the manner in which the illegal immigrants were brought back to India. He said that they were handcuffed and had their legs chained throughout the journey, with restraints removed only upon arrival in India.

Speaking to ANI, he said, "... I was lied to that I would be sent legally but I was sent by 'donkey' route... I faced a lot of difficulties on the way. Now that I am back here, I will work here... I crossed the border with difficulty... I reached there in 8 months... I was jailed at the US border for 20 days and then I was sent back... Our hands and feet were chained and we were told that we were being sent back to India. It took us 40 hours to reach Amritsar Airport... Everyone was chained except for the children... Now we will do farming here. The local MLA has said that the government will help us. We request the government to help us in getting our money back. We were lied to and sent illegally via donkey route..."

What Is 'Donkey Route'?

The 'donkey route,' also known as 'dunki,' is a term used to describe the complex and unauthorized pathways migrants take to reach countries like the US, Canada, the UK, and Australia, according to a report in Business Insider. Well, the term has its roots in the Punjabi language. It comes from an idiom meaning "to hop from place to place.".

How the Route Works

Initial Departure: Many migrants start their journey with tourist visas to Schengen countries in Europe, allowing them to travel freely across multiple nations.

Facilitation by Agents: 'Consultants' provide forged documents and guidance on entering the countries illegally.

Transit Through Multiple Countries: Migrants pass through various countries, including West Asian nations like the UAE, Turkey, and Azerbaijan, before heading towards Central and South America.

Final Leg: The most dangerous part involves crossing the Guatemala-Mexico border, where migrants often travel hundreds of kilometres on foot or hidden in vehicles, facing harsh conditions and the constant threat of arrest.

If caught, the illegal migrants face months-long detention upon reaching their destination, only to be eventually sent back.