Stories of young Indians returning home from America in handcuffs are no longer surprising. Each year adds a new chapter filled with tragedy — accidents, arrests, or deportations. The unrelenting ambition of youths from states like Haryana, Punjab, and Gujarat continues to fuel this dangerous trend. Despite knowing the risks, many still choose to take the “donkey route,” an illegal path to the United States.
For most, the dream is simple — to change their fate, earn in dollars, and return home as success stories. But the price of that dream often turns out to be unbearable. Countless people lose everything — their savings, their homes, and sometimes even their lives. Recently, fifty Indians between the ages of 25 and 40 were deported after being caught in the U.S. They had sold their land, mortgaged their houses, and placed blind faith in agents who promised them a better future. Now, they have returned burdened with debt and despair. Among those deported from Haryana alone, 16 were from Karnal, 14 from Kaithal, 5 from Kurukshetra, and one from Panipat.
Alongside them were men from Punjab, Hyderabad, Gujarat, and Goa. Since January 2025, the U.S. has deported around 2,500 Indian citizens. Year after year, horrifying tales emerge from those who attempt the illegal “donkey route” to Western countries — a journey so perilous that it often resembles a war zone. Strict immigration policies under President Donald Trump have made this route even more treacherous. Indian authorities frequently uncover cases linked to a vast international network of visa agents, middlemen, and human traffickers (known as “dunkers”) who operate sophisticated smuggling rings across continents.
Data from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) reveals a sharp rise in illegal Indian crossings — from 19,883 in 2019–20 to 96,917 between October 2022 and September 2023, a fivefold increase. Yet, even these numbers fail to capture the immense suffering endured along the way. Indian cinema has only scratched the surface of these painful stories. The memories of the Malta ferry tragedy still haunt countless families whose loved ones were swept away, their cases lost in endless court battles. Three years ago, two families from Gujarat — including a three-year-old child — froze to death while trying to cross from Canada into the U.S. That heartbreaking incident shocked even the most indifferent hearts.
Despite repeated tragedies, the hunger to go abroad remains undiminished. Reports indicate that 10–12% of those taking the donkey route either die in natural disasters or are killed by criminal gangs. Human traffickers demand anywhere between $50,000 and $100,000 (roughly ₹40–80 lakh) per person to smuggle them into the United States. Bollywood has even touched upon this dark reality — Shah Rukh Khan’s film Dunki drew inspiration from this very phenomenon. The journey often winds through several Central American countries such as Panama, Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Guatemala, where Indians can obtain visas relatively easily. These nations, situated between Mexico and South America, serve as gateways for those attempting to cross into the U.S. through Mexico. The trek can last up to two years and is filled with unimaginable dangers — robbery, violence, sexual assault, and death at the hands of criminal cartels. Women and girls, in particular, face horrific abuse, much of which goes unreported and unpunished.
Some migrants also try their luck through Canada or Brazil, using them as transit routes to reach U.S. soil. At its core, this relentless pursuit of foreign shores stems from deep-rooted social pressures and illusions of prosperity. Fake agents continue to exploit this craze, running billion-rupee rackets that prey on desperation. The truth, however, is simple — if one wishes to travel abroad, it must be done legally. Every aspiring migrant must verify their agents and documents before paying a single rupee.
Illegal migration not only destroys lives but also stains the reputation of Indians abroad. Even those who arrive through proper channels face suspicion because of the actions of a few. The donkey route, thus, stands as a symbol of both ambition and agony — a deadly gamble where dreams often end in ruin.
