Milpitas (California) — Satnam Singh Chahal, Executive Director of the North American Punjabi Association (NAPA), today expressed grave concern over the rising number of victims from Punjab who continue to fall prey to illegal human smuggling networks despite the known dangers and tragic consequences associated with such journeys.
Chahal stated, “It is heartbreaking that even today, hundreds of Punjabi youth are risking their lives and their futures by trusting unscrupulous agents who promise them golden dreams abroad. They end up in prisons, deportation centers, or in bonded labor—some even lose their lives in deserts, seas, or detention centers in foreign countries.”
According to estimates gathered by NAPA and international agencies, over 5,000 individuals from Punjab have fallen victim to illegal human smuggling routes in the last five years alone. Notably, a large number of them were detained in Gulf countries, Latin America, and Europe. Of particular concern is the plight of women, who in many cases are subjected to inhumane working conditions, exploitation, and mental trauma. Recently, more than 150 Punjabi women were reportedly rescued from the clutches of abusive employers in the Middle East.
Chahal referenced a 1995 incident where over 350 young men drowned in the Malta Sea while attempting to reach Europe—a tragedy that remains etched in the memory of Punjab. Yet despite such horrifying examples, the trend continues. Just this month, three young boys from Punjab were rescued from Iran, where they were stranded after being misled by agents promising entry to Europe.
“People ask, if the dangers are known, why do families still choose this path?” Chahal said. “The answer lies in desperation. Lack of job opportunities, mounting debt, poor governance, and false promises by agents who prey on the vulnerable push these people to gamble with their lives.”
Chahal urged the governments of both India and destination countries to crack down on smuggling rackets, ensure safe repatriation of victims, and most importantly, invest in youth empowerment and employment opportunities in Punjab to eliminate the root cause of this crisis.
NAPA has once again appealed to the Government of India and the Punjab state administration to publish accurate data, investigate smuggling networks, and launch a widespread awareness campaign to prevent more families from falling into the trap of illegal migration.