Chandigarh:The United States has deported 54 Indian nationals who had entered the country illegally, with 50 of them reportedly belonging to Haryana, officials confirmed on Sunday. The deportees arrived at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport on a special flight arranged by US authorities.
According to police sources, the deported individuals—mostly men between the ages of 25 and 40—had used the illegal and dangerous “donkey route” (also called the dunki route) to reach the United States. This route involves travelling through several countries in Latin America before attempting to cross into the US via the Mexico border.
Police Confirmation:
A Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) from Karnal district said that 16 of the deportees are from Karnal, while others belong to Kaithal, Ambala, Yamunanagar, and Kurukshetra. Police teams from these districts were deployed at Delhi airport to receive the individuals upon arrival.
After verifying their identities and completing required documentation, the deportees were handed over to their families.
“Around 50 deportees are residents of Haryana. They had entered the United States illegally through unsafe means. Necessary formalities have been completed, and all have been reunited with their families,” the DSP confirmed.
Investigation Underway:
Authorities in Haryana have begun investigating the human trafficking network suspected of facilitating the illegal migration. Preliminary findings suggest that most deportees paid between ₹25 and ₹35 lakh each to travel agents and traffickers who promised them entry and employment opportunities in the US.
Police have not yet received any formal complaints from the deportees or their families, but officials say the investigation is ongoing and further action will be taken against those responsible for organizing the illegal journeys.
Context:
Illegal migration from northern Indian states—particularly Haryana, Punjab, and Gujarat—continues to be a major concern. Many young people fall prey to fraudulent agents who promise lucrative jobs abroad, only to face exploitation, detention, or deportation.
Indian authorities have been coordinating with international agencies to trace such networks and raise awareness about the dangers of using illegal migration routes.
Police Advisory:
Law enforcement officials have urged citizens to avoid taking unlawful routes to reach foreign countries.
“People must not risk their lives and savings by trusting agents who offer illegal entry into the US. These attempts often end in deportation, heavy losses, and severe hardship,” police officials said.
