Punjab, a state in northern India with a long tradition of overseas migration, has seen a significant surge in attempts at irregular or illegal migration in recent years. Economic pressures—including unemployment, agricultural distress, and high aspirations fueled by diaspora success stories—drive many young men (and some families) from rural Punjab and neighboring Haryana to seek opportunities abroad.
The term “Dunki” (or “Donkey route/flight”) originates from the Punjabi word for “hopping” from place to place. It refers to clandestine, multi-stage journeys often facilitated by agents and smugglers who promise visas or safe passage in exchange for large sums (often ₹20–60 lakh or more, funded by loans or selling land).This phenomenon affects destinations like the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, but the routes, risks, scale, and policy responses differ notably.The classic Dunki route to the United States typically involves travel from India (often via Delhi or Amritsar) to the Middle East (e.g., Dubai), onward to Latin American countries (Guatemala, Panama, Costa Rica, etc.), treks through the dangerous Darien Gap jungle in Panama/Colombia, and crossing into Mexico and then the US southern border. Many also use the northern US-Canada border as an alternative entry point after entering Canada more easily.
Indians became one of the largest groups of extra-hemispheric migrants encountered at US borders. Encounters rose sharply from around 1,000 in FY 2020 to a peak of ~43,000 in 2023, with a slight decline to ~40,000 in 2024. Punjabis (Punjabi speakers) form a disproportionately large share of Indian asylum claimants at the US border, often citing economic hardship or other factors.Journeys involve extreme risks: jungle treks, deserts, exploitation by cartels/smugglers, and deaths or disappearances. Deportations have increased under stricter US policies. Over 2,400 Indians were deported in the first nine months of 2025 alone, with more flights returning migrants (including many from Punjab/Haryana) in 2025–2026.
Personal stories highlight shattered dreams: migrants sell assets, incur massive debts, face detention, and return to ruined finances and emotional trauma.Canada often serves as an easier initial destination due to faster visa processing (e.g., visitor visas in weeks vs. up to a year for the US) and established Punjabi/Sikh communities.Common patterns include entering legally as students, visitors, or temporary workers, then attempting irregular crossings into the US (record numbers crossed from Canada to the US in 2024, e.g., over 5,000 in a single month).Or attempting to stay irregularly in Canada itself.Canada has tightened rules recently (e.g., Bill C-12 and related measures), leading to deportation notices for thousands. Reports in 2026 indicated around 9,000+ Punjabis among those facing potential deportation or removal proceedings.
Risks are lower physically than the Darien Gap route but still involve debt, agent scams, and uncertainty.The UK has long been a destination for Punjabi migrants due to historical ties and a large existing diaspora. “Donkey flights” typically involve obtaining a Schengen tourist visa for a European country, flying there, and then entering the UK irregularly or overstaying.The UK has one of the higher numbers of illegally resident Indians among Western countries historically. India ranks among the top nationalities for returns and removals from the UK (e.g., significant numbers in 2025 data).All three countries have ramped up enforcement and returns in recent years, with India cooperating on repatriations. While legal migration channels exist and are preferred, illegal routes persist due to barriers. The human stories behind these journeys underscore the urgent need for balanced policies that address root causes in origin countries while managing borders humanely. For the latest official statistics, refer to sources like US CBP, IRCC Canada, UK Home Office, or India’s Ministry of External Affairs.
Referances:bbc.com,en.wikipedia.org,niskanencenter.org,sais.jhu.edu,youtube.com,migrationpolicy.org Disclaimer: This article and accompanying images are for informational and illustrative purposes only. Some visuals may be AI-generated or digitally enhanced and may not depict actual events or persons.Views expressed are based on publicly available information and analysis.