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In a startling revelation, a report has highlighted that several Indian nationals managed to enter the United States through Mexico just before the inauguration of Donald Trump in January. However, as part of Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration, the US has deported 104 Indians back to their home country.
Families Unaware of ‘Donkey Route’ Migration
According to a report by the Economic Times, the families of these deported individuals had no idea that their loved ones had taken the dangerous and illegal ‘donkey route’ to enter the US. Many of these individuals had invested lakhs into their education, only to later discover that their children had been deported due to their undocumented status.
Challenges Await Deported Indians in India
Returning to India is not expected to be an easy transition for these deported individuals. Krishan Chand, the former Director General of the Centre for Research in Rural and Industrial Development (CRRID), stated that securing regular employment in India would be a major challenge for the returnees.
Chand, who has extensively researched illegal immigration, noted that steady employment would have helped these individuals repay debts incurred during their journey. However, he believes that job prospects for deportees remain uncertain.
Majority of Deportees from Punjab, Haryana, and Gujarat
Among the 104 deported Indians, most hail from the states of Punjab, Haryana, and Gujarat. Additionally:
- Two individuals are from Maharashtra.
- Three individuals are from Uttar Pradesh.
Opposition Criticizes US Handling of Indian Deportees
The Opposition parties, including the Congress, have strongly protested against the treatment of deported Indian nationals. They have particularly condemned the way undocumented Indians were allegedly chained by American officials before being sent back.
However, addressing the issue in Parliament, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar clarified that the handcuffing of illegal immigrants was a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) followed by the US authorities.
This incident has once again brought illegal immigration and its consequences into the spotlight, raising concerns over the fate of deported individuals and the financial burden on their families.
