A US military aircraft carrying 104 Indian deportees touched down on the tarmac of Amritsar airport on Wednesday, making it the first group deportation since the commencement of the Trump administration’s tough immigration policies. These all people reached the US using the Donkey Route.
The Indian deportees, mostly from different Indian states, gave an account of their traumatic experiences, being shackled throughout the flight and learning about their deportation only when they landed.
There were 33 people from Haryana and Gujarat, 30 from Punjab, three from Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, and two from Chandigarh. There were 19 women and 13 minors in the list of Indian deportees, including a four-year-old boy and two girls aged five and seven years respectively.
Jaspal Singh’s Account of Deportation
Jaspal Singh, a 36-year-old from Hardorwal village in Punjab’s Gurdaspur district, recounted his distressing experience. He was arrested by the US Border Patrol on January 24 and detained for 11 days before being sent back to India.
“We thought we were being taken to another camp. Then a police officer told us that we were being taken to India. We were handcuffed and our legs were chained. These were opened only at the Amritsar airport,” said Jaspal.
Jaspal revealed that he paid Rs 30 lakh to a travel agent, expecting to be sent to the US legally but he was cheated and had to cross the border illegally. His journey started last July when he flew to Brazil and was there for six months before attempting to enter the US. His dreams of a better life were shattered upon deportation.
A huge amount was wasted. The amount was even borrowed,” he said, adding that he did not know anything about the deportation until he boarded the flight.
About the deportations, Jaspal said, “These are issues of governments. When we go abroad for work, we have big dreams for a better future for our families. Those have now been shattered.”
Two more deportees, who reached their home towns in Hoshiarpur on Wednesday night, also shared their ordeal they went through to reach the US.
Harsh Experiences of Indian Deportees
Harwinder Singh belonging to Tahli village in Hoshiarpur revealed his traumatic journey passing through several countries while using the ‘Donkey Route’. “I left for the US in August last year. I was taken to Qatar, Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Panama, Nicaragua, and then Mexico. From Mexico, we crossed hills and almost capsized in a boat at sea. I even saw one person die in the Panama jungle and another drowned,” said Harwinder.
He had paid Rs 42 lakh to his travel agent, who promised a direct route to the US via Europe. Instead, he faced an arduous journey with little food.
“Sometimes we got rice, sometimes we got nothing. We survived on biscuits,” he added.
‘Donkey Route’ to the US
Another deportee from Punjab revealed the harsh reality of the so-called ‘donkey route’ used to smuggle immigrants into the US.
“Our clothes worth Rs 30,000-35,000 were stolen along the way. We were first taken to Italy, then to Latin America. From there, we took a 15-hour-long boat ride and walked 40-45 kilometers,” he shared.
His group had to cross 17-18 hills with no chance of survival in case they slipped. “We crossed 17-18 hills. If one slipped, then there would be no chance that he would survive… We have seen a lot. If anybody got injured, he was left to die. We saw dead bodies,” he said,” he said, recalling the horrors of the journey.
US Action Before Modi-Trump Talks
The deportation took place just days before Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to Washington for talks with then-US President Donald Trump. Immigration was one of the major policies that were pursued by Trump where many were deported in masses.
Once they arrived in Amritsar airport, all deportees were put through interrogation by Punjab Police. Other intelligence agencies to check if there were any criminal cases pending against them.
Jaspal Singh’s cousin, Jasbir Singh, described the emotional and financial turmoil his family experienced. He said “We came to know about his deportation through the media on Wednesday morning,” he said. “When we go abroad for work, we have big dreams for a better future for our families. Those have now been shattered.”
The Harsh Reality of Illegal Immigration
Many deportees took out loans or sold assets to finance their journeys, only to be sent back empty-handed. Their accounts highlight the dangers of human smuggling networks that exploit desperate individuals seeking a better future.
With this deportation, the Indian government is expected to take a stricter stance against illegal immigration, warning citizens about fraudulent agents who lure them with false promises.
These deportees returning to their hometowns now see their American dreams as a memory that is sore and regretful, serving as a stark reminder of the risks of unauthorized migration.