The Dark Reality Of Illegal Indian Immigration To The US, UK, And Canada – OpEd

The recent deportation of 104 Indian nationals from the United States, transported in a military aircraft, landing at Amritsar airport on February 5, 2025, highlights a grim reality—thousands of Indians risk everything to enter Western nations illegally. Although, the United States is within its rights to deport the illegal immigrants, the fact these immigrants were handcuffed and chained was in bad taste, apart from being deplorable. Many of the immigrants who have been deported have paid around $40,000 to the agent for securing a better future in the United States. One would have hoped that these immigrants were deported honourably. It is unfortunate that the crisis of illegal immigration  persists despite India’s rapid economic growth and its aspiration to become the world’s third-largest economy.

Illegal immigration has become a pressing issue, especially after the US government, under President Donald Trump, intensified its crackdown. The problem is not limited to the US; Canada and the UK have also tightened their immigration policies, leading to increased deportations. Yet, the flow of undocumented Indian migrants continues, fueled by economic desperation, deceptive agents, and a lack of viable opportunities at home.

A significant number of illegal immigrants’ hail from Punjab and Gujarat, two states with a long history of outward migration. The driving force behind this mass exodus is unemployment and economic disparity. Despite India’s growing economy, prosperity is not evenly distributed, leaving many young people struggling to find sustainable jobs.

Desperate for a better life, many fall victim to unscrupulous agents who promise them lucrative opportunities abroad. These agents charge exorbitant fees, often between ₹20 lakh and ₹50 lakh ($24,000 to $60,000), for smuggling individuals into the US, UK, or Canada through dangerous and illegal routes. Families, hoping for a brighter future for their children, mortgage property or take massive loans to fund these journeys, unaware of the perils that lie ahead.

The Perilous Journey: Donkey Flights’ and Human Smugglers

Illegal immigrants often take treacherous routes to reach their dream destinations. One such method is known as the “donkey flight”, a complex network of international stopovers and forged documents that eventually lead them to their desired country.

For those aiming for the US, the journey often begins in South America. Many travel to Ecuador or Brazil, where visa restrictions are lax. From there, they embark on a grueling trek, navigating the infamous Darién Gap—a dense jungle between Colombia and Panama—before making their way through Central America to Mexico. Once at the US-Mexico border, they rely on human smugglers, known as “coyotes,” to cross into the US. Some hide in trucks, while others attempt to swim across the Rio Grande or scale the heavily guarded border walls. The risk is immense—many are caught by border patrol, detained in inhumane conditions, or worse, die along the way due to exhaustion, drowning, or violence at the hands of traffickers.

The tragedy of the Patel family in 2022, who froze to death while attempting to cross from Canada to the US, shocked the world. Yet, similar incidents continue to occur, with many perishing in their desperate bid for a better life.

Those trying to enter the UK illegally often travel through Europe using fake passports or claims. Some take the perilous route of hiding in cargo trucks, enduring subzero temperatures for hours or even days. The infamous case of 39 Vietnamese migrants found dead in a refrigerated truck in Essex, UK, in 2019 serves as a grim reminder of these dangers.

For those who succeed in reaching their destinations, life as an undocumented immigrant is filled with hardship and fear. Without legal status, they are forced into exploitative jobs with meager wages, often working as dishwashers, farm laborers, or construction workers under dangerous conditions. Since they lack legal protection, many endure long hours, unsafe work environments, and abusive employers who know they have no legal recourse.

Women and children face even greater risks. Reports of human trafficking forced labor, and sexual exploitation among illegal immigrants are widespread. Many women, deceived by false promises of decent jobs, end up in brothels or as domestic slaves.

The constant fear of deportation looms large. Law enforcement agencies in the US, UK, and Canada have ramped up their crackdown on illegal immigrants. Those who are caught face immediate deportation, returning to India in disgrace and deeper debt than before. Their families, having spent their life savings on their migration, are left devastated, and many deportees struggle with mental health issues, social stigma, and threats from the very agents who had promised them a better future.

The Indian government faces a major challenge in reintegrating deported migrants. Many return home with no job prospects, burdened with loans they cannot repay. While some attempt to rebuild their lives, others, undeterred by past failures, make another desperate attempt to migrate illegally.

Authorities have cracked down on fraudulent immigration agents, and awareness campaigns warn people about the dangers of illegal migration. However, these efforts remain insufficient as long as economic disparity continues to push people toward risky alternatives.

While border control measures have tightened in the US, UK, and Canada, they have not entirely curbed illegal immigration. If there is a demand for cheap labor and limited legal pathways for migration, people will continue to seek dangerous routes.

One of the most effective solutions is creating more legal avenues for migration. Many developed nations have a demand for foreign labor, and structured work permit programs could help control illegal immigration while ensuring fair wages and legal protection for workers. Additionally, India must focus on generating more employment opportunities domestically, reducing the economic desperation that fuels migration.

According to study conducted in 2022 by PEW Research Center, a US non- partisan think tank, there are over 725000 illegal Indian immigrants in the United States. It is a matter of time the Trump administration will start identifying these undocumented immigrants and start deporting them to India. If this happens, there is no mechanism in place to offer jobs or integrate them into society.

Films like Dunki have depicted the harsh reality of illegal immigration, but unlike in the movies, most real-life stories end in tragedy. The journey is not only physically perilous but also emotionally and financially devastating. Until systemic reforms address both ends of the crisis—employment generation in India and legal migration pathways in destination countries—the cycle of illegal immigration will continue, claiming countless lives and dreams.