Understanding the 'Dunki Routes': How Indian Immigrants Risk Everything to Reach the US

On February 5, 2025, a US military aircraft carrying 104 deported Indian nationals landed at Amritsar Airport. These deported individuals had spent substantial amounts, ranging from Rs 30 lakh to Rs 1 crore, on agent fees and expenses in their pursuit of reaching the United States illegally through what is known as the "Dunki route."

What are 'Dunki Routes'?

The "Dunki" or "donkey journey" refers to perilous and often dangerous routes taken by migrants who attempt to reach desired destinations, like the US, without proper legal documentation or financial means.
These migrants take these illegal routes to circumvent visa restrictions, thereby violating immigration laws. The US has been actively deporting individuals who have traveled through these illegal routes.

On February 5, 2025, a US military aircraft carrying 104 deported Indian nationals landed at Amritsar Airport. These deported individuals had spent substantial amounts, ranging from Rs 30 lakh to Rs 1 crore, on agent fees and expenses in their pursuit of reaching the United States illegally through what is known as the "Dunki route."

What are 'Dunki Routes'?

The "Dunki" or "donkey journey" refers to perilous and often dangerous routes taken by migrants who attempt to reach desired destinations, like the US, without proper legal documentation or financial means.

These migrants take these illegal routes to circumvent visa restrictions, thereby violating immigration laws. The US has been actively deporting individuals who have traveled through these illegal routes.

Map Shows How Donkey/Dunki Route Works in Europe

What is Deportation?

Deportation is the process of removing non-citizens from a country due to violations of immigration law. In the case of the US, individuals are deported if they are found engaging in criminal acts, pose a public safety threat, or breach visa conditions. The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) may detain immigrants before deportation.

Indian Immigrants in the US

According to the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Fiscal Year 2024 Annual Report, about 725,000 Indian nationals are in the US illegally, making Indians the largest group of illegal immigrants outside of Central and Latin America. Among the countries deported from the US, India ranks above China and nearly equal to Brazil.

Graph Shows Year-wise deportation from the US

Operation of the 'Dunki Routes' Network

How the Illegal Routes Work?

The Delhi Police’s IGI unit has analyzed how the illegal routes operate. Immigrants are first sent to countries that allow visa-on-arrival facilities. From there, they travel to Europe or Central America and use fake visas to further their journey to the US. For example, individuals often acquire fake Schengen visas, travel to accessible European countries like Azerbaijan or Kazakhstan, and then proceed through Central America or the Caribbean to reach the US.

Routes Through Asia and the Middle East

In some cases, individuals take tourist visas to Turkey or Kazakhstan, and from there, they travel through Russia to enter the US. Other times, passengers might go to Malaysia from Bangkok via a bus or boat, obtain a fake Schengen visa, and then travel to Mexico. From Mexico, they use the "Dunki route" to enter the US via illegal border crossings.

Officers said passengers with fake Schengen visas are sent to relatively accessible European countries like Azerbaijan or Kazakhstan. From there, they are routed through Central American or Caribbean countries such as Guatemala and Costa Rica to US.

Schengen visa

Schengen visa allows the holder to travel freely in the Schengen Area comprising 29 European countries, for short stays of a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period. The visas are not purpose-bound, but they do not grant the right to work. The Schengen Area comprises 29 European countries, 25 of which are EU member states.

India’s Response to deportation

Indian Government’s Action

After the deportation of the illegal migrants from the USA, the Indian government said that it is “seriously considering” enacting a new law, tentatively titled ‘Overseas Mobility (Facilitation and Welfare) Bill, 2024’, to establish an enabling framework which will promote “safe, orderly and regular migration for overseas employment”.

Keeping in view the “contemporary global migration dynamics and the needs of Indian citizens”, it says that the committee has over the years underscored the pressing need for a comprehensive legislative overhaul to replace the outdated provisions of the Emigration Act 1983.

Awareness Initiatives

The ministry said that Indian missions/consulates spread awareness amongst emigrants and issued advisories for prospective emigrants. These awareness activities such as advisories equip emigrants with information on safe migration practices, registered recruiting agents, valid foreign jobs, and ways to avoid fraudulent recruiting agencies.

World Migration Report 2024

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has released the biennial World Migration Report 2024. According to the report, India received over USD 111 billion in remittances in 2022, the largest in the world, becoming the first country to reach and even surpass the USD 100 billion mark. India is also the origin of the largest number of international migrants in the world, with large diasporas living in countries such as the United Arab Emirates, the United States and Saudi Arabia.

The H1-B Visa Controversy

Background of the H1-B Visa Program

The H1-B visa program allows US employers to hire foreign workers for specialized roles requiring a bachelor's degree or higher. The visa is temporary, lasting up to six years, after which the worker must leave the US or apply for permanent residency (Green Card).

The H1-B program has been critical in allowing skilled foreign workers, especially from India, to work in the US.

Indians’ Dominance in the H1-B Visa Program

People born in India account for more than 70% of the H1-B petitions approved each year. In contrast, China consistently accounts for only around 12-13% of approvals.

The H1-B visa has become a significant aspect of the ongoing political debate in the US, especially under the Trump administration, where immigration policies were heavily scrutinized, and immigration restrictions were tightened.

Impact on US-India Relations

The debate surrounding H1-B visas is central to the political discourse between the US and India. As India continues to send a large number of skilled workers, the US's approach to H1-B visa issuances remains a matter of concern, especially for the Indian government.

The issue of illegal immigration, the Dunki routes, and subsequent deportations underline the complexities of international migration. The Indian government is working to improve migration laws and procedures to ensure safer and more regulated movement of its citizens abroad. Meanwhile, the H1-B visa program continues to be a contentious topic, reflecting broader debates on immigration policies in the US.

STEPS IN THE H-1B PROCESS

The H-1B visa process is essential for employers seeking to sponsor foreign workers for temporary employment in specialty occupations. The steps involved in the H-1B process, particularly for those subject to the annual cap, are outlined below:

Electronic Registration for the H-1B Lottery

EMPLOYER Registration: Employers seeking to file H-1B petitions must first electronically register with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This registration process requires basic information about the employer and the foreign worker (beneficiary).

Registration Fee: A fee must be paid for each registration submitted.

Registration Period: The initial registration period lasts at least 14 calendar days each fiscal year (from October to September).

LOTTERY Selection Process

Beneficiary-Centric Approach: USCIS conducts a beneficiary-centric selection process to ensure that each beneficiary has an equal chance of being selected, regardless of how many registrations are submitted on their behalf by different employers.

Lottery: If the number of registrations exceeds the annual cap of available H-1B visas, USCIS runs a lottery to randomly select which registrations can proceed to the next stage.

Cap Limits: The cap includes the standard 65,000 H-1B visas, with an additional 20,000 visas for those holding a U.S. master's degree or higher (Master's Cap).

Filing the H-1B PETITION

Eligible Employers: Only employers whose registrations have been selected in the lottery can proceed to file a full H-1B petition within the prescribed time frame.

Petition Filing: The employer must submit a detailed petition to USCIS, including supporting documentation to demonstrate the qualifications of the foreign worker and the nature of the job.

PETITION Approval

Approval Notification: Once the petition is approved, the foreign worker is eligible to apply for a U.S. visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country.

If Insufficient PETITIONs are Received

Additional Lottery: If the number of petitions received is insufficient to meet the cap, USCIS may conduct additional lottery rounds to ensure all available visas are allocated. — ***Map Shows How Donkey/Dunki Route Works in Europe***

What is Deportation?

Deportation is the process of removing non-citizens from a country due to violations of immigration law. In the case of the US, individuals are deported if they are found engaging in criminal acts, pose a public safety threat, or breach visa conditions. The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) may detain immigrants before deportation.

Indian Immigrants in the US

According to the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Fiscal Year 2024 Annual Report, about 725,000 Indian nationals are in the US illegally, making Indians the largest group of illegal immigrants outside of Central and Latin America. Among the countries deported from the US, India ranks above China and nearly equal to Brazil.

***Graph Shows Year-wise deportation from the US***

Operation of the 'Dunki Routes' Network

How the Illegal Routes Work?

The Delhi Police’s IGI unit has analyzed how the illegal routes operate. Immigrants are first sent to countries that allow visa-on-arrival facilities. From there, they travel to Europe or Central America and use fake visas to further their journey to the US. For example, individuals often acquire fake Schengen visas, travel to accessible European countries like Azerbaijan or Kazakhstan, and then proceed through Central America or the Caribbean to reach the US.

Routes Through Asia and the Middle East

In some cases, individuals take tourist visas to Turkey or Kazakhstan, and from there, they travel through Russia to enter the US. Other times, passengers might go to Malaysia from Bangkok via a bus or boat, obtain a fake Schengen visa, and then travel to Mexico. From Mexico, they use the "Dunki route" to enter the US via illegal border crossings.

Officers said passengers with fake Schengen visas are sent to relatively accessible European countries like Azerbaijan or Kazakhstan. From there, they are routed through Central American or Caribbean countries such as Guatemala and Costa Rica to US.

Schengen visa

Schengen visa allows the holder to travel freely in the Schengen Area comprising 29 European countries, for short stays of a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period. The visas are not purpose-bound, but they do not grant the right to work. The Schengen Area comprises 29 European countries, 25 of which are EU member states.

India’s Response to deportation

Indian Government’s Action

After the deportation of the illegal migrants from the USA, the Indian government said that it is “seriously considering” enacting a new law, tentatively titled ‘Overseas Mobility (Facilitation and Welfare) Bill, 2024’, to establish an enabling framework which will promote “safe, orderly and regular migration for overseas employment”.

Keeping in view the “contemporary global migration dynamics and the needs of Indian citizens”, it says that the committee has over the years underscored the pressing need for a comprehensive legislative overhaul to replace the outdated provisions of the Emigration Act 1983.

Awareness Initiatives

The ministry said that Indian missions/consulates spread awareness amongst emigrants and issued advisories for prospective emigrants. These awareness activities such as advisories equip emigrants with information on safe migration practices, registered recruiting agents, valid foreign jobs, and ways to avoid fraudulent recruiting agencies.

World Migration Report 2024

The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) has released the biennial World Migration Report 2024. According to the report, India received over USD 111 billion in remittances in 2022, the largest in the world, becoming the first country to reach and even surpass the USD 100 billion mark. India is also the origin of the largest number of international migrants in the world, with large diasporas living in countries such as the United Arab Emirates, the United States and Saudi Arabia.

The H1-B Visa Controversy

Background of the H1-B Visa Program

The H1-B visa program allows US employers to hire foreign workers for specialized roles requiring a bachelor's degree or higher. The visa is temporary, lasting up to six years, after which the worker must leave the US or apply for permanent residency (Green Card).

The H1-B program has been critical in allowing skilled foreign workers, especially from India, to work in the US.

Indians’ Dominance in the H1-B Visa Program

People born in India account for more than 70% of the H1-B petitions approved each year. In contrast, China consistently accounts for only around 12-13% of approvals.

The H1-B visa has become a significant aspect of the ongoing political debate in the US, especially under the Trump administration, where immigration policies were heavily scrutinized, and immigration restrictions were tightened.

Impact on US-India Relations

The debate surrounding H1-B visas is central to the political discourse between the US and India. As India continues to send a large number of skilled workers, the US's approach to H1-B visa issuances remains a matter of concern, especially for the Indian government.

The issue of illegal immigration, the Dunki routes, and subsequent deportations underline the complexities of international migration. The Indian government is working to improve migration laws and procedures to ensure safer and more regulated movement of its citizens abroad. Meanwhile, the H1-B visa program continues to be a contentious topic, reflecting broader debates on immigration policies in the US.

STEPS IN THE H-1B PROCESS

The H-1B visa process is essential for employers seeking to sponsor foreign workers for temporary employment in specialty occupations. The steps involved in the H-1B process, particularly for those subject to the annual cap, are outlined below:

Electronic Registration for the H-1B Lottery

EMPLOYER Registration: Employers seeking to file H-1B petitions must first electronically register with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This registration process requires basic information about the employer and the foreign worker (beneficiary).
Registration Fee: A fee must be paid for each registration submitted.
Registration Period: The initial registration period lasts at least 14 calendar days each fiscal year (from October to September).

LOTTERY Selection Process

Beneficiary-Centric Approach: USCIS conducts a beneficiary-centric selection process to ensure that each beneficiary has an equal chance of being selected, regardless of how many registrations are submitted on their behalf by different employers.
Lottery: If the number of registrations exceeds the annual cap of available H-1B visas, USCIS runs a lottery to randomly select which registrations can proceed to the next stage.
Cap Limits: The cap includes the standard 65,000 H-1B visas, with an additional 20,000 visas for those holding a U.S. master's degree or higher (Master's Cap).

Filing the H-1B PETITION

Eligible Employers: Only employers whose registrations have been selected in the lottery can proceed to file a full H-1B petition within the prescribed time frame.
Petition Filing: The employer must submit a detailed petition to USCIS, including supporting documentation to demonstrate the qualifications of the foreign worker and the nature of the job.

PETITION Approval

Approval Notification: Once the petition is approved, the foreign worker is eligible to apply for a U.S. visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country.

If Insufficient PETITIONs are Received

Additional Lottery: If the number of petitions received is insufficient to meet the cap, USCIS may conduct additional lottery rounds to ensure all available visas are allocated.

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