A report prepared by Punjab government officials highlights the vast reach of human smuggling networks and reveals the significant financial burden these migrants endured in their pursuit of a better life abroad.A total of 127 deported Punjabi immigrants collectively paid Rs 43 crore to travel agents in a desperate bid to enter the United States, according to a report by The Indian Express. Instead of achieving their dreams, they were detained, handcuffed, and ultimately deported by US authorities.
These individuals were among 332 Indians who were sent back to Amritsar on three separate flights, arriving on February 5, 15, and 16.The data compiled by conducting interviews of the deportees highlights that each migrant from Punjab has paid around Rs 40-45 lakh on average to agents who use to work across several countries including US, UK, Pakistan, Mexico, Italy, Mexico and Spain. Majority of the made the payment in cash and has not received any receipt or document against it.
As per the report by The Indian Express, a Gurudaspur deportee has paid Rs 40 lakh in cash along with Rs 5 lakh of online payment. A Mohali Couple has submitted Rs 85 lakh to an agent based in Ambala, whereas a Jalandhar migrant has paid Rs 30 lakh in total out of which Rs 17 lakh was paid in cash while the rest amount was sent to his brother who lives in the US. Similarly, a Ferozepur resident paid Rs 16 lakh in cash through a UK based agent through Instagram.
Many deportees have confessed that they have never met the agents physically and have frequently contacted them on social media platforms like Instagram or through intermediaries and friends.
A deportee from Nawanshahr mentioned that his agent was based in the UK but he had no further information related to him. As per the report, three deportees accepted to have contact with Pakistan based agents while not less than 10 declined to share any kind of information. Out of 31 deportees who were sent back in the third batch, 18 of them want to file cases against their agents whereas six others are not able to decide and four others refuse to take legal action.According to PTI, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has reinstated his strong opposition against the landing of US deportation flights in Amritsar, expressing hope that any future flights carrying illegal Indian immigrants would not be sent to Punjab.Speaking to the reporters, Mann mentioned, ‘’I strongly opposed the landing of US planes carrying deportees in Amritsar.’’