US Deports 54 Haryana Men, Police Probe ‘Donkey Route’ Trail
The United States has deported 54 men from the Indian state of Haryana, who reportedly entered the country via an illegal migration path known as the “donkey route”. Government agencies in Haryana say the deportees arrived at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport and have been handed over to their families.
Details of the Deportation
According to police sources, the men came from districts such as Karnal, Kaithal, Ambala, Yamuna Nagar, Kurukshetra as well as Jind, Sonipat, Panchkula, Panipat, Rohtak and Fatehabad. Most are aged between 25 and 40. Haryana police and immigration authorities are investigating whether they used human-trafficking networks to enter the U.S. illegally.
What Is the ‘Donkey Route’?
The “donkey route” refers to complex and dangerous migration channels used by some Indian nationals to reach Western countries without valid visas. These routes often involve multiple border crossings, forged documents and the use of agents who charge large sums to guide migrants. Authorities say many such journeys end in detention, deportation or worse.
Next Steps and Risks
Haryana police say they are verifying each deportee’s background and whether any agent facilitated the move. The state law enforcement appeal to young people emphasised the financial, legal and life risks of such illegal migration. Meanwhile, migration and immigration officials in both India and the U.S. note that the issue is part of broader global trends in irregular migration.
