(DELHI (INDIRA GANDHI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT)) The United States 🇺🇸 has deported 54 Indian nationals, most of them from Haryana, after officials said they entered the country illegally using the “donkey route,” a long, risky smuggling path that crosses several countries before reaching the U.S. border.
The group—mostly men aged 25 to 40—landed at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, where Haryana police received them and later handed them over to their families, according to local authorities.
Origin and Numbers
Police in Haryana said about 50 of the 54 deported were from the state. Breakdown by district:
- Karnal: 16
- Kaithal: 15
- Ambala: 5
- Yamunanagar: 4
- Kurukshetra: 4
- Jind: 3
- Sonipat: 2
- Panchkula: 1
- Panipat: 1
- Rohtak: 1
- Fatehabad: 1
Officers said the men had paid large sums to agents for the journey, which typically involves flights and overland travel through multiple transit countries and dangerous border crossings. No formal complaints against agents have been filed yet, but an investigation is underway into the networks that arranged the trips.
Karnal Deputy Superintendent of Police Sandeep Kumar said the group had entered the U.S. through illegal means linked to the donkey route. He warned: “This is a wrong method that leads to significant problems later on,” urging families to keep away from such schemes.
Local police said they are:
– Examining whether any of those deported have criminal records
– Tracing the chain of agents who arranged their travel
Law Enforcement Response and Ongoing Investigations
Officials say the case reflects a wider clampdown on unauthorized entry at the U.S. border and closer cooperation between Indian and American authorities.
- India’s Ministry of External Affairs reports that in 2025 so far, more than 1,500 Indian nationals have been deported from the U.S. for immigration violations.
- The latest charter flight brought back individuals detained after attempting or completing irregular entry.
Haryana police emphasized that the trend is concentrated in certain regions. Many deported are young men from agricultural or semi-urban backgrounds who believed the donkey route would offer a faster way to reach U.S. jobs or reunite with relatives. Officers said those hopes often collide with harsh realities at the border, including detention and swift removal.
Investigative priorities include:
1. Identifying recruiters and facilitators operating in Haryana and beyond.
2. Encouraging families to come forward with information about agents promising quick passage.
3. Tracing financial and travel links across transit countries.
Police warned that paying an agent does not confer legal status—migrants remain subject to detention and removal on arrival or after crossing.
The deportations also align with continued U.S. enforcement actions aimed at curbing unlawful entries. The legal basis for removal includes standard immigration law procedures after a finding of inadmissibility or violation of status. For official information on U.S. removals and enforcement, readers can review U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations.
Risks of the “Donkey Route” and Legal Consequences
The donkey route—known locally as a circuitous, agent-driven path—is a high-cost, high-risk journey that can involve travel through the Middle East and Latin America before reaching the southern U.S. border.
Key risks and costs:
– Families often pay several lakhs of rupees or up to tens of thousands of dollars to smugglers.
– Migrants face dangerous treks, exploitation by traffickers, risk of detention, and eventual removal.
– Irregular entry can lead to deportation and harm future visa eligibility, triggering bars to reentry and complicating future applications.
VisaVerge.com notes that immigration violations can affect:
– Future study, work, or visit visas
– Eligibility across various visa categories
Many returnees find themselves in debt to agents or moneylenders, increasing pressure on families.
“We advise people not to attempt to go abroad illegally.” — DSP Sandeep Kumar
Local officers said the Haryana deportees learned a hard lesson: irregular paths offer no certainty. Social media posts that glamorize success overseas often hide failed attempts and heavy costs borne by families.
Broader Patterns and Policy Context
The pattern goes beyond a single flight. Officials report:
– Increased removals of Indian nationals from the U.S., with many tied to irregular entry attempts from northern states such as Haryana and Punjab.
– Intensified screening and closer data-sharing between U.S. and Indian authorities.
– Some enforcement actions expanded during the tenure of President Trump, with renewed momentum reported in early 2025.
Community workers in Haryana explain that:
– Demand for overseas jobs and the perception of faster earnings keep fueling the smuggling trade.
– Agents promise “doorstep” delivery into the U.S., but migrants are passed between handlers in multiple countries.
– When routes break down, migrants can end up stranded, detained, or worse.
Families often hesitate to report agents out of fear of retaliation or in hope of recovering some money.
Advice and Legal Alternatives
Authorities and legal advisors stress using lawful, well-documented routes only. While legal processes can feel slow and complex, they avoid life-altering penalties.
Recommended steps for prospective migrants:
– Research recognized programs for work, study, or family reunion.
– Verify recruiters’ licenses and credentials.
– Seek written contracts for any overseas employment offers.
– Consult community legal clinics and state labor departments for reputable, government-approved pathways.
Benefits of legal migration:
– Protection from traffickers and exploitative handlers
– Reduced risk of detention and deportation
– Preservation of future visa eligibility
Human Impact and Next Steps
The human impact is immediate and severe:
– Parents who borrowed money to send their sons abroad now face repayments without the expected earnings.
– Young men who hoped to start new lives returned under a cloud, with possible travel bars ahead.
– Communities where departures are common must confront a system that preys on hope.
Officials in both countries say the solution includes:
– Stronger enforcement against smugglers
– Expanded legal migration channels for skilled and semi-skilled workers
– Strict checks on recruiting agents
– Continued cooperation between India and the U.S. on illegal migration
For now, the 54 deported have been reunited with families in Haryana, while police continue to probe the smuggling networks linked to the donkey route. Officers urged anyone considering such a journey to think about the dangers, the debt, and the long-term damage to future travel plans.
The message remains direct: do not risk illegal paths when legal routes, though slower, offer safety, dignity, and a real chance at a stable life abroad.
This Article in a Nutshell
U.S. authorities deported 54 Indian nationals—about 50 from Haryana—who entered the country via the high-risk “donkey route.” The group, mainly men aged 25–40, landed at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport and was reunited with families after Haryana police processed them. Officials say migrants paid large sums to agents for a journey involving flights and dangerous overland crossings through multiple countries. Investigations are underway to identify recruiters and facilitators; police are also checking criminal records. India’s Ministry of External Affairs reports over 1,500 Indians deported from the U.S. in 2025, reflecting intensified bilateral cooperation and enforcement to curb irregular migration.
