Donkey Route: Dangerous journey of illegal immigrants to reach US

Why in the NEWS?

• Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders protested over how undocumented Indian immigrants were deported from the US.

Key Points:

1. A US military plane carrying 104 Indian deportees landed in Amritsar, many of whom complained of being handcuffed throughout the journey and having limited access to toilets.
2. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor called the manner of the deportation an "insult to India" and the "dignity of Indians".
3. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said, "We are liaising with the US government to ensure that the deportees being returned are not subjected to any kind of mistreatment during the flight.

What will you read next in this topic?

1. What is the Donkey Route travel to the US?
2. Travel to Latin American Countries
3. Darian Gap: A route full of dangers
4. Role of Migration Agents and Cost of Travel
5. Journey to the US border: Rio Grande and arrest
6. Why do migrants take the risk?

What is the Donkey Route travel to the US?

• The Donkey Route is an illegal migrant route used by people from South Asia, particularly India, to travel to the United States.
• The route passes through various Indian states such as Punjab, Haryana, and Gujarat, where Indian migrants use the route.
• The journey is extremely dangerous, posing a risk to the lives of migrants.
• The migrants face physical and natural hazards along the route, making the journey even more risky.

Travel to Latin American Countries

• The journey begins with Latin American countries, such as Ecuador, Bolivia, Guyana, Brazil, and Venezuela, where visa facility is available for Indian citizens.
• After reaching these countries, migrants, who have received visas, are ready for the onward journey.
• This journey is planned and guided by agents who are part of a complex smuggling network.

Darian Gap: A route full of dangers

• A major dangerous area located between Colombia and Panama is called the Darian Gap.
• In this jungle, migrants have to face wild animals, criminal gangs and violence.
• Crossing the Darian Gap is a very risky task, as migrants can fall victim to robbery, rape and other violent incidents.
• The area lacks medical facilities, and if a migrant is killed on this journey, there is no way to send the body back home.

Role of Migration Agents and Cost of Travel

• During this journey, migrant agents have a vital role. Agents have 'connections' in different countries, which allow them to guide them through the network of human trafficking.
• The total cost of the journey is exorbitant, ranging from Rs 30-40 lakh to Rs 1 crore.
• The migrants pay this amount in advance to the agents during the journey, and the full amount is paid by the time the journey is over.

Journey to the US border: Rio Grande and arrest

• The migrants eventually reach the US border, where they cross the Rio Grande River, an important river located between the US and Mexico.
• Crossing this river is also a big risk, as migrants can drown or face other natural disasters.
• After reaching the US border, the migrants are detained by the US authorities. They later undergo the asylum process, which determines their future.

Why do migrants take the risk?

• Migrants choose this dangerous route in search of a better life. They set out on this route to escape war, poverty, hunger, and other natural disasters.
• Additionally, migrants make this journey to support their families and gain better opportunities that they might not otherwise have in their home country.
• This journey carries physical, mental, and emotional risks, but migrants choose to do so because they are willing to take risks to improve their lives.