Gurpreet Singh's Costly US Dream Ends in Arrest, Deportation After Rs 80 Lakh Journey

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Key Takeaways

• Gurpreet Singh and Amanpreet Kaur spent Rs 80 lakh on the “dunki route” but were deported on February 16, 2025.
• The couple was among 119 Indian deportees, highlighting growing US enforcement against illegal immigration through dangerous and unregulated routes.
• Deportations leave families in heavy debt; Singh’s family faces long-term financial recovery after exhausting assets for the failed migration.

A Mohali couple’s journey to pursue the American dream ended in despair when they were arrested while entering the United States and subsequently deported. Gurpreet Singh and Amanpreet Kaur, a young couple from Jaula Khurd village in Mohali, Punjab, spent a shocking Rs 80 lakh on a nine-month-long journey in an attempt to enter the US through illegal means. Their arrival in Amritsar on February 16, 2025, as part of a group of 119 Indian deportees, underscores the growing risks and hardships associated with unauthorized immigration.

Who Are Gurpreet Singh and Amanpreet Kaur?

Gurpreet Singh, the elder son of a Punjab Police Assistant Sub-Inspector posted in Mohali, married Amanpreet Kaur, a native of Shahjadpur, around 18 months before they embarked on their ill-fated journey. Motivated by dreams of better opportunities, they began their path in June 2024, leaving behind their families and financial safety net. However, their efforts to create a new life in the US came crashing down when they were caught at the Mexico-US border close to the end of 2024 or early 2025. They were arrested and sent back to India in February 2025.

The “Dunki Route” and Its Challenges

The couple attempted to enter the US using a method popularly described as the “dunki route”. This route involves illegal and extremely risky travel through multiple countries, often relying on brokers or agents who are paid hefty sums to help migrants bypass official immigration processes. For Gurpreet Singh and Amanpreet Kaur, the cost of this dangerous endeavor added up to Rs 80 lakh, an amount that left their family in financial distress.

The process typically involves physically challenging journeys across jungles, deserts, and oceans, making it dangerous for anyone who opts for this route. By the time deportees like Gurpreet and Amanpreet are caught by authorities, they not only face immediate guilt and shame but also major debts and lasting emotional scars, leaving both themselves and their families in dire situations.

The financial burden after such trips fails cannot be overstated. These journeys often leave families devastated, as they must sell properties, borrow money, or liquidate lifelong savings. Gurpreet Singh’s family, for instance, is now dealing with both emotional and monetary loss. Their house in Jaula Khurd village remained locked on February 16, 2025, as Gurpreet’s parents traveled to Amritsar to receive him and his wife after their deportation. Recovering from the Rs 80 lakh spent may take years, if not decades, with local residents suggesting that the family had already exhausted all legal routes to migrate before resorting to the “dunki route.”

Unfortunately, such cases are not isolated. Recent incidents have revealed how other migrants from Punjab spend millions of rupees in futile attempts to reach foreign shores illegally. For instance, another individual, Pardeep Singh, a 21-year-old Mohali resident, similarly spent Rs 42 lakh only to be arrested at the Mexico-US border and later deported.

Escalation of Deportations

Gurpreet and Amanpreet’s deportation forms part of an ongoing crackdown by US authorities on illegal immigration. On February 16, 2025, 119 Indian citizens were deported on a special flight that landed in Amritsar. Just weeks earlier, on February 5, a US military C-17 aircraft transported 104 deportees back to India. Among those deported this month, many, like Gurpreet Singh and Amanpreet Kaur, had reached the US-Mexico border months earlier before being stopped by the stringent border control mechanisms employed by the United States.

The Human Costs of Deportation

Many of the deported individuals have raised concerns about their treatment during the deportation process. Videos of deportees in handcuffs and shackles have emerged, causing unease among their families and sparking controversy in India. While US authorities insist this has been standard protocol since 2012, the circulation of such images has created an unfamiliar visual of Indian deportees being restrained in this manner. This development has led to reflections on the broader implications for India-US relations, with some viewing the publicized deportations as evidence of increasingly hard-line US immigration policies.

For deportees themselves, the financial loss and emotional burden are severe. Reports indicate that individuals attempting similar journeys have spent between Rs 30 lakh and Rs 1 crore, only to be detained upon arrival. This harsh reality highlights the brutal outcomes of gambling family assets or loans for unguaranteed migration ventures.

Root Causes and the Role of Agents

Punjab, in particular, has emerged as a stronghold for illegal migrants due to socioeconomic challenges and high demand for foreign employment. Analysts argue that conditions such as low job availability in India, coupled with the lure of a stronger dollar-to-rupee exchange rate, push many young Punjabis to take risks like the “dunki route.” Local leaders, including Sukhwinder Kaur of the Bhartiya Kisan Union (Krantikari), have urged both state and national governments to tackle the lack of opportunity at home, arguing that people deserve more options domestically rather than feeling the need to migrate.

Another problematic aspect of this situation is the reliance on unscrupulous agents who prey on the dreams of vulnerable individuals. These agents often provide false guarantees of safe and successful migration through illegal means, charging exorbitant fees. Balwant Singh Ramoowalia, president of Lok Bhalai Party, has criticized both public leaders and law enforcement for not taking a strong enough stance against these illegal intermediaries, whom he referred to as “mafia.”

Addressing these issues will require coordinated efforts between government agencies, law enforcement, and policymakers. It has been reported that both Punjab and Haryana police have acted recently to hold these agents accountable by initiating legal cases against them.

Dangers of the “Dunki Route” for Punjabi Youth

Experts in Punjab say there’s a lack of guidance when it comes to understanding the risks of illegal immigration. Many youths driven by desperation fail to anticipate challenges abroad such as language barriers, cultural adjustments, or lack of support networks. Nitin Chawla, a member of the Association of Consultants for Overseas Studies in Punjab, emphasized that parents, too, play a worrying role in encouraging unsafe practices, ignoring legal hurdles and practical realities their children will face abroad.

For Gurpreet Singh and Amanpreet Kaur, their experience is not just a personal tragedy but also a cautionary tale for others considering illegal paths to other countries. The nine months they spent trying to fulfill their dreams might have forever altered the course of their lives. Families across Punjab, and indeed across all of India, should take heed of their example and avoid falling into the same trap.

Concluding Reflections on Future Migration

The deportation of 119 Indian nationals, including Gurpreet Singh and Amanpreet Kaur, illustrates the challenges surrounding immigration and its impact on families, communities, and nations. Their journey through the “dunki route,” and its unimaginable Rs 80 lakh cost, only ended in loss. For families and individuals considering migration, it is vital to prioritize authorized channels while understanding the risks illegal avenues present.

As global immigration laws continue to tighten, particularly in countries like the United States, illegal migration attempts will likely result in similar outcomes. Meanwhile, governments must focus on creating economic stability at home to prevent citizens from taking such enormous risks. Policymakers should also strengthen public awareness about immigration processes and prosecute fraudulent agents aggressively to deter exploitation.

The tragedy of Gurpreet Singh and Amanpreet Kaur offers a harsh but necessary lesson: the pursuit of a better life should never come at the expense of legality, safety, or dignity. For more official information on legal immigration procedures, individuals should visit trusted resources such as the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website.

Learn Today

Dunki Route → Informal term describing illegal, dangerous migration paths involving multiple countries, used by migrants to bypass official immigration processes.
Deportation → Forced removal of an individual from a country due to violation of immigration laws or unauthorized entry.
Unscrupulous Agents → Individuals exploiting migrants with deceitful promises of illegal migration success in exchange for exorbitant fees.
Socioeconomic Challenges → Economic and social conditions, like unemployment, that pressure individuals to seek opportunities abroad, often through risky means.
Stringent Border Control → Strict enforcement measures by a country to prevent unauthorized entry, including surveillance, arrests, and deportations.

This Article in a Nutshell

Chasing the American dream, Gurpreet and Amanpreet spent Rs 80 lakh navigating the perilous “dunki route,” only to face deportation. Their story highlights the devastating cost—financially and emotionally—of illegal immigration. As policies tighten, pursuing legal avenues and building opportunities at home become critical to avoiding such heartbreaking outcomes. Dreams shouldn’t shatter lives.
— By VisaVerge.com