A US military carrying 104 illegal Indian immigrants landed in Amritsar dashing the hopes of the “American Dream” for several youths from Punjab, Haryana and other states.
Despite spending over Rs 40 lakhs and taking a dangerous ‘dunki’ route to the US through the Canada or Mexico borders, the Indian immigrants returned handcuffed with their dreams cut short.
Khushpreet Singh, a resident of Chammu Kalan in Patiala district, was among the Indians on the flight back to the US. Singh, who was lured with false promises of settling in the US, paid Rs 45 lakh to an agent and started off on his journey on January 22.
Singh’s journey started from Delhi airport after which he took the “dunki” route, which begins in South American countries like Nicaragua, Panama or El Salvador. Those aspiring to take the “dunki” route to the US first arrive in the South American country, after which the journey starts through forests infested with venomous reptiles and unfavourable conditions. It takes days for the traveller to reach Mexico. Upon entering Mexico, the immigrants travel to borders through vehicles arranged by the agents. After arriving on the US-Mexico border, the immigrants have to scale walls to enter the Southen part of the US.
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The “American Dream” remain unfulfilled for 18-year-old Khushpreet Singh as he was immediately caught after crossing to the US border.
Then began the tale of despair and detention for Khushpreet, who was detained and allegedly tortured in several camps for 12 days.
“During this time (detention), I was subjected to torture and was also electrocuted multiple times. The agents, meanwhile, kept demanding money from my family,” Khushpreet claimed.
Khushpreet’s father, Jaswant Singh (57) said he never imagined that the agent would send his son illegally through the “dunki route.”
“The agent lured him with false promises. Before reaching the US, Khushpreet was first sent to Mumbai from Delhi Airport and then smuggled through forests and sea routes,” the father said.
However, Khushpreet’s story is one among many tragic accounts of Indian immigrants who risked their lives on the dangerous journey to the US.
Indian Deportees Share Similar Tales
Daler Singh, a resident of Salemapura village in Amritsar, was also one of the deportees on the flight bringing back the ‘illegal’ immigrants back to India.
Singh said he travelled from Punjab to Dubai in August last year. The agents said that he would be taken to the US legally.
However, instead of the direct route, the agents took him through several countries, including Panama to enter the US.
“During the journey, I faced immense hardships, going through dense jungles and swamps. Many people were robbed on the way and some even died,” he said.
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After taking the dangerous route to the US which entered in despair, Singh said he was deceived and urged the youths to travel abroad only legally.
Meanwhile, Jaspal Singh from Gurdaspur was also robbed of a chance to build a better life by a travel agent.
“I paid Rs 40 lakh to the travel agent to go to the US and give a better life to my wife and children. My dream was shattered after I was arrested at the US-Mexico border,” he said.
“I had asked the agent to send me through a proper visa but he deceived me,” he said.
Jaspal said he reached Brazil by air in July last year and was promised that the next leg of the journey to the US would also be by air. However, the agent forced him to cross the border illegally.
