Indian migrants who have been deported from the United States tend to use a unique travel path through Europe before returning home. The complex journey that transits European nations after stopping in Central America leads deportees back to India and has become their preferred method. But what drives this choice?
The Traditional Dunki Route
Traditional undocumented Indian immigrants have historically attempted South American entry points specifically in Brazil, Ecuador and Colombia. The route continues with stops in Panama and Guatemala before trying to enter through the American border with Mexico. This journey commonly named the donkey route or Dunki route exposes people to multiple risks including hazardous jungle travels and potential arrests by local enforcement.
The New European Dunki Route
A considerable number of deported people have selected an alternative migration route. The migrants now start their journey by visiting European nations which include UK and Turkey alongside Spain and Germany and Italy. Migrants secure visitor or transit visas at various European countries to conduct their travel through Central American countries. The European path to entry provides better advantages than traditional Dunki methods of migration.
Advantages of the European Route
- They find the European route safer when compared to the traditional dunki route for travel. Air transportation along most of the migrant path provides a protected journey until migrants reach Nicaragua where El Salvador poses minimal dangers for completion of the route. The instituted route decreases chances of physical injury as well as apprehension by authorities.
- Migrants who explore European countries can achieve their goal of reaching Central America in less time. Migrants use the European route because it enables them to bypass Panama's dangerous jungle terrain leading to faster transit times.
- Countries within Europe grant visas within easier reach than Mexico demands of its visa applicants. Migrants frequently get Schengen visitor visas to benefit from the opportunity to experience travel in different European destinations. The openness of travel across Europe creates an attractive option for migrants to select.
- Migrants who reach Europe have the advantage of spending adequate time building their travel plans. Migrants who get help from agents through the European route can obtain flights that connect Europe to Central America or book travel after spending a short time in Europe. Migrants use the planning period to bypass the risks and unforeseen events commonly found in traditional dunki transportation.
Challenges and Costs
Even though it offers benefits there are obstacles that accompany the European migration path. Most migrants need to work with agents who charge them money to secure visas and book plane tickets. Migrant expenses to travel across the European route amount to a range of Rs. 40-60 lakh per individual and exceed the genuine journey cost by several factors. As a result of recent incidents the authorities are planning increased examination of Schengen visa applications.
Why United States is deporting them?
The United States government executes stronger enforcement measures against unauthorized immigrants specializing in the 'dunki' route entry method. Multiple national border crossing serves as an unpopular immigration path for many Indians who want to enter the United States using unlawful methods. The United States government has deported many people while enforcing immigration laws more strictly because of this practice.
Stricter Immigration Policies
The Trump administration enacted stringent immigration policies which explain the major cause of escalated deportations. The Trump administration dedicated its efforts to reduce illegal immigration by reinforcing border protection measures while stepping up deportation operations. The increased number of deportations mainly focuses on Indians who came to the US through the 'dunki' method.
Increased Visa Denials and Revocations
The deportations have increased due to expanding visa denials among other reasons. The United States government revoked visas of numerous Indian people who entered under temporary programs after they stayed beyond their authorized period or worked without permission. Indian immigrants who fall subject to this policy have been forced to return to their country of origin.
Heightened Awareness and Enforcement
The United States government increased its deportation activities toward foreigners who use the 'dunki' method to enter the country because it learned about this immigration avenue. The government has adopted vigorous tactics to detect all illegal US entrants among which Indians who used irregular paths to gain entry fall.
Impact on Indian Communities
The deportation operations resulted in severe consequences for United States Indian communities because these actions severed many family relationships between Indians living in America. People face both financial struggles and psychological burdens because of their relatives' deportation which leads them to navigate intense difficulties in locating their family members back in India.
The story behind 'Dunki' Route origination
Undocumented migrants use the dangerous dunki route which also goes by the name 'donkey route' to establish illegal entry into the United States. South Asians primarily from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh choose this specific route to migrate to the United States for better prospects and better living standards. The word 'dunki' originates from the Indian subcontinent slang with its meaning linking to the difficult concealed nature of border crossings.
Origins of the Dunki Route
The dunki route developed during the early 2000s as a result of increased border security combined with strict visa regulations that caused US immigration to intensify. Human traffickers together with smugglers created the dunki route when they discovered new smuggling routes that bypassed established barriers.
The traditional dunki route begins in South Asian countries for migrants who choose to move first to South American destinations including Brazil Ecuador and Colombia. Motorists travel along dangerous paths across Panama followed by Nicaragua and Guatemala towards their desired destination which is Mexico. About reaching Mexico remains their final destination before attempting to cross through the US-Mexico border.
Evolution of the Route
A modified version of the dunki route appears in current years after several countries in Europe started operating as transfer bases. Foreign citizens start their European migration by arriving in countries including Italy Spain Germany and Turkey to obtain visas used for transit or short visits. European immigrants fly directly to Central American countries to avoid the risky portions which traditionally appeared before reaching Mexico.
Various strong factors motivate individuals to select the dunki route. The migration phenomenon draws people because their homelands offer neither financial growth nor stable governance nor peace in society. Additionally, the promise of better living conditions, job prospects, and educational opportunities in the US serves as a powerful motivator.
The Role of Human Traffickers
The dunki route depends heavily on human traffickers and smugglers to operate as they facilitate passage through its routes. Migrants suffer due to high fees that human traffickers impose on vulnerable travellers. The path to the US border includes multiple threats such as being detained by law enforcement agents and experiencing physical harm or mistreatment.
Challenges Faced by Deported Indians
Being deported brings distressing challenges to Indians who must return from countries such as the United States. The return process into their native country becomes complicated because it faces legal challenges together with financial and emotional hurdles and social inclusion problems.
Legal and Financial Hardships
People who get deported normally encounter major legal impediments when they attempt to return to their country. Returnees who have been deported face social discrimination that limits their opportunities to work and obtain money from financial institutions. The deportation process triggers high court expenses which create economic difficulties for deportees especially since they must repay their court and journey costs. Deportees face additional financial burden due to paying high expenditures for their migration and legal costs because immigration removal results in their immediate job loss.
Emotional and Psychological Toll
The process of deportation brings extreme emotional damage to those affected. Deported people generally develop shame together with feelings of guilt and failure. When their lives abruptly end and when they must separate from family and experience future unpredictability it produces severe anxiety while raising their stress levels. Establishing a new stable life structure requires extensive difficult efforts to achieve.
Social Stigma and Reintegration
Social reintegration proves to be a considerable difficulty that deported Indians must address. The social mark associated with deportation causes deported people to face separation from friends and public discrimination. The suspicions and pity that friends and family members show to deportees makes complete social reintegration near impossible. Insufficient social support hinders deported Indians from establishing a better life after their repatriation.
Employment and Economic Opportunities
Regular stable employment forms a major hurdle in the life of deported people. The absence of suitable employment skills combined with unsatisfying qualifications makes obtaining domestic employment nearly impossible after a deportation. A permanent shortage of steady income stands in the way of their self-sustaining ability as well as their family support so their financial troubles become worse.
Educational Disruption
The loss of education dreams becomes immediate for foreign students forced back home when officials deport them from their study-abroad programs. Students deported after studying abroad will encounter severe obstacles when they try to move their credits and when they attempt to enrol in another educational institution and when they attempt to transition to a new educational framework.
Impact on Families
Deportation produces various effects which spread through the family units both of deportees who remain and those who join them after deportation. Education and social development of children and spouse employment become major obstacles when families experience deportations. Family members endure major emotional difficulties when they face the challenges of their relatives getting deported.
Efforts by the Indian Government
The Indian national government is taking proactive measures to assist deportees returning from other countries especially from the United States. The government conducts programs that assist deported individuals along with ensuring their dignified and secure return to India. Other countries established agreements with India for secure migration pathways supported by the government.
Government Initiatives
Through its central position the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) offers consular help both to deportees and their families. The organization provides support for their transportation to India as well as medical care and legal representation for deportation-related problems. The Ministry of External Affairs cooperates with state governments to provide deportation survivors with rehabilitation services that help them transition successfully into Indian society.
Bilateral Agreements
India has established multiple agreements with foreign countries which serve to support safe and official migration processes. The agreements work towards safeguarding the rights of Indian employees working abroad while preventing unjust practices against them. India has established Social Security Agreements (SSAs) between itself and Germany and France in addition to Canada. Through these agreements between countries dual payments of social security become prohibited which removes the financial strain on Indian workers who live between their home country and the host location.
India has created Migration and Mobility Partnerships (MMPs) which operate alongside the United Kingdom and Germany together with Italy. The bilateral partnerships between India and international countries aim to develop career pathways for Indian experts and students while solving unauthorized immigration issues and facilitating qualified workforce exchange programs. The Migration and Mobility Partnerships work to guarantee the wellbeing of Indian nationals in these countries and prevent their mistreatment.
Support Systems
Indian government strengthens its support for citizens who live outside the country through multiple initiatives and programs. Through its e-Migrate portal system the Ministry of External Affairs under its flagship project links Indian workers' migration to portals managed by the UAE and Saudi Arabia for clear legal processes. Indian workers can access this portal to find structured migration services which includes complete knowledge about their workplace rights and duties.
Indian authorities continue their presence at international forums starting with the International Migration Review Forum and Colombo Process to defend migrant worker rights and welfare. Indian authorities can use these platforms to join forces with foreign nations while exploring solutions which address the problems faced by migrant workers.
The Indian government demonstrates its dedication to defending citizens abroad by taking actions to handle deportations while advocating for safe worker migration. The government works with bilateral agreements and support systems and international forum participation to protect Indian nationals both in their rights and access to lawful migration opportunities abroad. The programs serve as essential measures to establish secure operational environments for Indian professionals and Indian workers working abroad.