The "Donkey Route" refers to an illegal and perilous migration route used by individuals unable to secure legal visas to enter countries like the US. Migrants use fake documents to travel through multiple countries, facing severe risks, including exposure to extreme environments, exploitation by corrupt agents, and high chances of detention and deportation.
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Indian deportees from the US, shared harrowing accounts of their journey through the “Donkey Route”.
The “donkey route” (also referred to as the “Dunki route”) is an illegal and dangerous migration pathway used by individuals who cannot secure legal visas to enter countries like the US, Canada, or the UK.
The term originates from the Punjabi word “dunki,” meaning “to hop” or “to jump,” which reflect the migrants’ journey through multiple countries and borders.
Initial Departure: Migrants leave India, often with fake documents or tourist visas to transit countries.
Pass through many Countries: Common routes include traveling through Europe (Italy), Latin America, or Central America. Migrants cross jungles, deserts, and seas, often on foot or in overcrowded vehicles.
Final Border Crossing: Attempt to enter the US via its southern or western borders. High risk of arrest, detention, or deportation by border authorities.
The temptation of higher incomes and better opportunities in the US drives many to take extreme risks.
Difficulties in obtaining legal visas push individuals toward illegal pathways.
Corrupt agents promise safe passage but abandon migrants or trick them.
Exposure to extreme weather, treacherous terrains, and life-threatening situations.
Agents charge exorbitant fees, steal money, or abandon migrants mid-journey.
Migrants face detention, deportation, and bans from future legal entry.
Many suffer severe trauma, and some do not survive the journey.
A US military plane carrying 104 Indian deportees landed in Amritsar. The group included migrants from Punjab (30), Haryana (33), Gujarat (33), Maharashtra (3), Uttar Pradesh (3), and Chandigarh (2).
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PRACTICE QUESTION Q.Which of the following statements best describe the “Dunki route”? 1. It is an illegal migration pathway involving multiple transit countries. 2. It refers to a legal process for obtaining work visas through Indian embassies. 3. It is characterized by the use of fraudulent documents and the assistance of smugglers. How many of the above statements are correct? A) Only one B) Only two C) All three D) None Answer: B Explanation: Statement 1 is correct: The "Dunki route" is an illegal migration pathway that involves crossing multiple transit countries (e.g., Latin American nations, European Schengen states) before attempting entry into destination countries like the US or UK. Statement 2 is incorrect: The Dunki route is not a legal process. It bypasses legal visa channels and relies on illegal methods, unlike official embassy procedures. Statement 3 is correct: The route is characterized by the use of fraudulent documents (fake visas, passports) and the assistance of smugglers/agents who facilitate dangerous border crossings. |
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