Illegal Immigration Bust: 108 Agents Arrested for US Donkey Route

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Key Takeaways:

Law enforcement arrested 108 agents in 2024, involved in an international illegal immigration network using the “donkey route.”
The Delhi Police shifted focus to arresting immigration agents, doubling the number of arrests compared to 2023.
Reexamining old cases, Delhi Police arrested agents using fake documents to exploit visa-on-arrival schemes for illegal immigration.

What Led to the Mass Arrest of 108 Indian Immigration Agents?

The effort by law enforcement to curtail illegal immigration took a significant step forward with the arrest of 108 immigration agents within the first six months of 2024. These agents were discovered to be a crucial part of an international network facilitating illegal immigration through the so-called “donkey route.” This revelation came about at New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport.

Illegal Immigration Bust: 108 Agents Arrested for US Donkey Route

A breakthrough occurred when a Sikh man, posing as a 67-year-old, aroused the suspicion of the CISF officials. The man, who identified himself as Guru Sevak Singh, was discovered to be 24 years old and utilizing a fake identity to travel to Canada before taking the donkey route to the US.

Why Are Authorities Targeting Immigration Agents?

Traditionally, apprehending passengers was the end goal in curtailing illegal immigration. However, the Delhi Police have shifted focus to dismantling the core of the illegal network by arresting immigration agents.

According to data from the Delhi Police, reported by the news agency ANI, these efforts have resulted in double the number of arrests compared to the same period in 2023. A significant number of these arrests have taken place in Punjab, Gujarat, Haryana, Maharashtra, and West Bengal.

The police’s intensified investigation revealed that agents were exploiting the visa-on-arrival facility extended by several countries to Indians, aiding in the facilitation of illegal routes for immigrants.

How Is the Immigration Police Re-examining Old Cases?

Delhi Police have revisited earlier cases where only passengers were arrested to identify and prosecute the involved immigration agents. Officers have been instructed to track down these agents meticulously.

“Several Proclaimed Offenders (POs), mostly from cases over a decade old, have been apprehended this year, demonstrating the police’s commitment to resolving long-standing cases,” stated a police representative.

In 2024 alone, Delhi Police have arrested 51 immigration agents from previously incomplete cases. Their investigations uncovered diverse methods used by these agents, such as fake departure stamps, visas, forged passports, work permits, and fake identities.

How Do Agents Exploit the Visa-On-Arrival Scheme?

The visa-on-arrival scheme has been particularly abused. Agents send passengers to countries offering this facility to Indian nationals, facilitating illegal border crossings into destination countries. This year, 11 agents involved in such schemes have been arrested.

What Is The Donkey Route, And Why Is It Used For Illegal Immigration?

A strategic route used by agents for illegal immigration, the donkey route often starts with sending passengers to easily accessible countries. For instance, many were sent to countries like Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan with fake Schengen visas, from which they embarked on a journey through Central America to the US border.

An individual named Jitendra, who experienced this perilous route, shared with IndiaToday.in how he had to traverse from Ecuador across seas and land using various means of transportation. “We traveled all day, sometimes by bus, sometimes by car,” he recounted.

What Are the Financial Costs and Risks of the Donkey Route?

The financial cost of attempting to immigrate via the donkey route can be exorbitant. Jitendra spent Rs 40 lakh, while Guru Sevak Singh, who was recently arrested, was paying Rs 60 lakh. Costs differ depending on the intended destination: approximately Rs 15 lakh for Portugal, Rs 25 lakh for Germany, and Rs 45 lakh for the US.

This risky passage has resulted in a record number of Indian nationals being apprehended at the US border. According to data from US Customs and Border Protection, 96,917 Indians were detained or expelled in 2023 alone. Pew Research Center’s 2023 study indicated over 725,000 Indians were living illegally in the US.

Why Is the Crackdown on Immigration Agents Significant?

Agents who profit by selling dreams and swift immigration options to unsuspecting individuals form the crux of the donkey route business. The current crackdown aims to dismantle these networks, thereby saving many lives from the deadly risks associated with illegal immigration.

Where Can One Find Authoritative Information on Legal Immigration?

For those seeking to understand legal immigration routes and avoid the dangers and high costs of illegal means, consulting official government resources is essential. Recommended information on legal immigration processes can be found on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website.

As mentioned by VisaVerge.com, these enhanced enforcement actions and the ongoing efforts to address illegal immigration signify a strong commitment to upholding legal standards and protecting individuals from exploitation by unscrupulous agents.

The arrests mark a significant stride in undermining the illegal immigration infrastructure and ensuring more secure and lawful entry processes for individuals worldwide.

Learn Today:

Glossary of Immigration Terms
1. Donkey Route: Refers to a perilous and often illegal immigration route used by smugglers. This pathway may involve travel through multiple countries, using various transportation means, to reach the final destination, often circumventing legal immigration processes.
2. Visa-On-Arrival Scheme: A facility that allows travelers to obtain a visa upon arrival at a destination country. This scheme has been exploited by immigration agents to facilitate illegal crossings by sending passengers to countries that offer this benefit to Indian nationals.
3. CISF (Central Industrial Security Force): A specialized force in India responsible for providing security to industrial units and significant infrastructure, including airports. In this context, CISF officials identified a suspect using a fake identity at the airport.
4. Proclaimed Offenders (POs): Individuals who have been declared fugitives by the law after failing to appear in court. In the crackdown on illegal immigration, old cases involving POs are being reopened to capture those involved in facilitating illegal entry.
5. Immigration Agents: Individuals or entities that assist others in moving from one country to another. In the context of illegal immigration, these agents facilitate unauthorized travel and entry, often through fraudulent means, such as fake identities and forged documents.

This Article In A Nutshell:

In early 2024, 108 Indian immigration agents were arrested for aiding illegal immigration via the “donkey route” to the US. Authorities targeted unscrupulous agents, rather than just passengers, to dismantle the network. The crackdown highlights efforts to combat fraud and ensure legal, safe immigration pathways.
— By VisaVerge.com

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