Sixteen men from Karnal district in Haryana deported from the US have been reunited with their families after illegal migration attempts through the perilous ‘donkey route,’ police confirmed. More broadly, 54 men from Haryana, including those from Karnal, Kaithal, and other districts, were deported by US authorities in recent weeks for illegal entry.
DSP Sandeep Kumar of Karnal Police stated the deportees arrived late on Saturday at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport and were taken to their respective districts under police supervision, with investigations ongoing into their travel routes and agents involved.
The Ministry of External Affairs reported that over 1,560 Indians have faced deportation from the US since President Donald Trump’s second term began in January 2025, amid heightened immigration enforcement.
The Dangerous Donkey Route and Financial Losses
The ‘donkey route’, a risky illegal path traversed by migrants from India to the US—has claimed many hopeful youth from Haryana. Many deportees, primarily aged 25 to 40, spent lakhs of rupees, often selling land, borrowing from relatives, or depleting savings to afford agents’ fees.
One deportee from Karnal, Naresh Kumar, said he paid Rs 57 lakh after initially being promised a much lower sum. The journey on this route took him two months and led to 14 months of incarceration in the US. The emotional and financial toll is immense, leaving these men dejected after their forced return.
Widespread Impact Across Haryana
The deported group is spread across various districts: 16 from Karnal, 14 from Kaithal, 5 from Kurukshetra, and others from Yamuna Nagar, Ambala, Jind, and Sonipat. Karnal Superintendent of Police Ganga Ram Punia and Kaithal Deputy Superintendent Lalit Kumar confirmed the individuals were from multiple villages and have been handed over to their families.
No formal complaints against agents or traffickers have been registered so far, although investigations continue. The state government has repeatedly warned youth against illegal migration, emphasizing skill development and legal overseas travel avenues. Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar highlighted efforts to educate and facilitate legal migration to reduce such risky attempts.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
This spate of deportations reveals not only the vulnerabilities of young migrants but the urgent need for better awareness and enforcement against human trafficking networks profiting from their desperation. Beyond criminalising illegal routes, society and government must collaboratively build local economic opportunities and provide trustworthy guidance on safe, legal migration.
The Logical Indian calls for empathy and prevention to address the root causes driving youth to risk everything in search of a better life abroad.
