Vigilance against those facilitating illegal migration from the country intensified after the US deported 330 Indians who had entered the country via the “Donkey Route.” While the US has previously sent back Indian migrants who entered without valid documents, these 330 Indians were those who had gone to the US via the “Donkey Route.”
They were sent back to India in a very humiliating manner, in handcuffs and shackles. In this context, when the Enforcement Directorate launched raids in Haryana, Delhi, and Punjab on Thursday, it was revealed that this is a massive illegal business.
The operation included raids in Punjab, as well as in the districts of Panipat, Sonipat, Karnal, Kurukshetra, and Ambala in Delhi and Haryana. The scale of this business is evident from the fact that Rs 2 crore, 6 kg of gold, and 300 kg of silver were recovered from these traffickers who were sending people abroad via the “Donkey Route.”
Those migrating from India are well aware that nowadays, the US and other wealthy Western countries do not welcome Indian migrants; instead, strict restrictions are being imposed on their legal entry.
Those who enter illegally are being deported. It is true that these countries need the labor force of Indian migrants. The money spent by Indian students on education in the US, the UK, or Canada is a significant source of revenue for these countries.
Therefore, immigration rules in these countries have been tightened or relaxed at the discretion of the authorities. Visa rules have become stricter in the US after Trump took office. The same is true for England, but rules are also relaxed according to political considerations, as has recently been done in Canada.
Under the previous government in Canada, rules regarding the arrival of migrants were being made very strict, and obtaining citizenship was becoming difficult, but now, after the change of government, Canada’s stance has changed.
According to the new orders, children of Indian migrants who have lived in Canada for more than three years will automatically receive Canadian citizenship, while the US has withdrawn this rule.
Despite all this, the obsession of young Indians with migrating to dollar and pound countries remains undiminished. On Thursday, when 14 teams of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raided the offices of visa agents, it was revealed that many young people are being sent abroad through illegal routes even without complete documentation.
There, they initially live as second-class citizens. Gradually, they try to establish themselves and pursue permanent residency or citizenship.
It was believed that the stricter stance taken by the US and England on immigration would reduce the craze among young Indians to go abroad, but this has not happened. People are willing to risk their lives to go abroad through illegal routes. However, this route is not cheap either.
Parents have to spend 40-45 lakh rupees. Even then, there is no guarantee that their children will reach their foreign destination safely.
Recently, there have been reports of the deaths of young migrants traveling through the perilous routes of this illegal trade. The huge amount of money recovered during the raids conducted by ED teams in Delhi, Punjab, and Haryana indicates that the desire to go abroad, whether legally or illegally, is still strong.
The reason is that they do not see their dream of a better life being fulfilled in their own country. They want to go abroad at any cost, chasing an illusory dream.
We hope that the action taken by the ED against the major players in this illegal trade will curb this illicit business to some extent, and India’s youth will be motivated to contribute to nation-building by staying in the country