India Cracks Down on Travel Agents After U.S. Deportation of 104 Illegal Immigrants

India Launches Crackdown on Illegal Immigration Rackets

Following the deportation of 104 Indian nationals from the United States, the Indian government has intensified its crackdown on fraudulent travel agents operating in Punjab and Haryana. These agents are accused of duping aspiring migrants with false promises of legal U.S. entry, only to smuggle them through the dangerous "Dunki" route, an illicit immigration pathway.

With multiple complaints surfacing, authorities in both states have begun legal action against several travel agencies involved in this exploitation.

Punjab’s Action: Shops Sealed, Cases Registered

In Punjab, police have booked a travel agent from Amritsar under the BNS Act and Punjab Travel Professionals Act.

• A victim reported that he paid over $68,000 for legal U.S. immigration but was instead taken through illegal routes.
• He was arrested by U.S. authorities and deported back to India.
• In response, Punjab authorities sealed the accused’s travel agency and vowed strict action against such fraudsters.

Punjab’s NRI Affairs Minister, Kulp Singh Dhaliwal, has urged victims to come forward and report fraudulent agents to help dismantle these illegal networks.

Haryana’s Crackdown: Multiple Agents Under Investigation

Meanwhile, in Haryana, police have registered cases against four travel agents based on multiple complaints:

• One victim claimed he paid $49,000 for a legal visa but was sent through an illegal route instead.
• Another shocking case involved an individual who paid over $441,000 for U.S. entry, only to face deportation after falling victim to the scam.

Authorities in Haryana have launched search operations to nab the accused agents, and investigations are ongoing.

The ‘Dunki’ Route: A Growing Immigration Concern

The Dunki route refers to illegal migration pathways where individuals are trafficked through multiple countries before reaching their intended destination. The journey often involves:

• Crossing treacherous terrains in South and Central America.
• Dangerous border crossings into the United States.
• High risks of arrest, deportation, or even death.

This high-risk immigration method has gained notoriety in recent years, with thousands of Indian migrants attempting to enter the U.S. through these unauthorized channels.

What’s Next? Stricter Regulations & Public Awareness

With U.S. authorities tightening immigration policies, India is now taking stronger measures to curb human trafficking networks.

• The Punjab and Haryana governments are pushing for stricter travel agent regulations.
• Victims are being encouraged to report fraudsters to prevent others from falling prey to similar scams.
• Law enforcement agencies are conducting nationwide investigations to shut down illegal immigration rackets.

As legal action unfolds, this crackdown could serve as a warning to unauthorized immigration networks, ensuring aspiring migrants are not exploited in their pursuit of a better life.

Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.