A United States military transport plane, C-17, landed at the Sri Guru Ramdas Ji International Airport, Amritsar, Punjab on 5th February 2025, carrying 104 illegal Indian immigrants, deported from the United States of America (USA).

These Indians were caught illegally entering the USA through the Donkey or Dunki route or have overstayed in the country after the expiry of their visas.

The illegal migrants were deported by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) department and kept in various detention centers in the United States of America.

Stopping and deporting illegal migrants to the USA has been one of the top priorities of Donald Trump's administration.

Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the USA on 20th January 2025. This is the second and last term as President as the American constitution provides a maximum of two terms for any President. Donald Trump first became the President of the USA in 2017 for a term of 4 years.

State-wise distribution of the illegal migrants

Of the 104 Indians deported, 30 of them are from Punjab. 33 each are from Gujarat and Haryana. Three each are from Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, and two are from Chandigarh.

What is a Donkey or Dunki Route?

Dunki term was made popular by Shahrukh's movie Dunki’. Donkey or Dunki refers to the route taken by illegal migrants to enter the USA through Mexico and Canada.

It is called ’Donkey’ because these illegal migrants have to trek a long distance on foot like a donkey.

These illegal immigrants pay huge amounts of money to agents which promise them a safe passage to the USA.

The agents provide them with fake passports, forged visas, and forged residence permits.

If the illegal migrants are caught at the borders, they claim asylum on the grounds of religious or other persecution in India.

Many people from Punjab and Gujarat adopt this route to enter the USA illegally.

Kabootarbazi in Punjab

Punjab is one of the major regions of India from where illegal migration to the USA and Europe takes place. The illegal immigration from Punjab through the agents to the USA and Europe is called ‘kabootarbazi” (pigeon flying).

Also Read: US to set up Migrant Detention Facility at Guantanamo Bay