“We Were Handcuffed, Had People Dying”: Deportees Reveal Horrors of ‘Donkey Route’ Journey to the US

104 Indian deportees recount harrowing experiences of illegal migration and detention under the Trump administration’s crackdown.

February 6, 2025: A U.S. military aircraft carrying 104 illegal immigrants from various Indian states landed at Amritsar airport on Wednesday, marking the first batch of deportees sent back under Donald Trump’s aggressive crackdown on illegal immigration.

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Among the deportees, 33 were from Haryana and Gujarat each, 30 from Punjab, three each from Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, and two from Chandigarh. The group included 19 women and 13 minors, aged between 4 and 7 years. Many recounted tales of deception, suffering, and shattered dreams.

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“We Were Cuffed and Shackled”

Jaspal Singh, a 36-year-old from Punjab, revealed he was deceived by a travel agent who charged him ₹30 lakh, promising a legal route to the U.S. “I was forced to take the illegal path and eventually caught by the U.S. Border Patrol,” he said. Jaspal described being cuffed and shackled throughout the deportation journey, adding that they were unshackled only upon landing in Amritsar.

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Another deportee, Harwinder Singh from Hoshiarpur, narrated his perilous journey through Brazil, Panama, Nicaragua, and Mexico before crossing into the U.S. “We crossed mountains and jungles, survived capsizing boats, and saw people dying along the way,” he said. Harwinder claimed to have spent ₹42 lakh on his journey.

“Donkey Route” Dangers

The deportees referred to their journey as the “donkey route,” an illegal network of smuggling pathways. One individual shared how his clothes, worth ₹35,000, were stolen, and another described walking 40-45 kilometers daily while crossing treacherous hills. “If someone slipped, survival was impossible,” he said.

Deception and Loss

Many deportees expressed heartbreak over shattered dreams and financial losses. Jaspal’s cousin lamented the false hopes of a better future. “We go abroad for our families. Now everything is lost,” he said.

Government Scrutiny

The deportees were interrogated by Indian authorities, including state police and intelligence agencies, to identify potential criminal records. The deportation coincides with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the U.S. for talks with President Trump.

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Tags: deportation from US, illegal immigration, Trump immigration policy, Amritsar airport deportees, ‘donkey route’ migration, travel agent scams, U.S.-India relations, migration challenges