Mandeep Singh, a 38-year-old from Punjab, shared his terrifying and grueling experience while attempting to illegally enter the United States using the notorious ‘donkey route.’ Singh, one of the 116 deportees returned to India on February 15, detailed the numerous hardships and dangerous conditions he faced throughout his journey.
US Border Patrol arrested Singh on January 27 while he was trying to cross into the US through Tijuana, Mexico. Months earlier, an agent lured him with promises of legal entry into the United States. Singh paid a staggering Rs.40 lakh for the opportunity to enter the US, in addition to Rs20 lakh demanded by sub-agents along the way. The journey took Singh through various countries, including Suriname, Guyana, Bolivia, and Ecuador, before he reached Tijuana, Mexico.
A Dangerous and Brutal Trek
Singh described the perilous conditions he faced as he and other migrants trekked through the jungles of Panama. The group had to navigate through crocodile-infested waters and deal with dangerous snakes and other wildlife. For 13 days, Singh and his fellow travelers trudged through a treacherous route that included 12 canals. He explained that the smugglers guiding them warned that they could be shot if they asked too many questions or showed any sign of hesitation.
Surviving on barely edible food, such as half-cooked “rotis” and sometimes noodles, Singh’s group struggled to stay alive throughout the journey. As they continued their harrowing trek through Central America, they eventually reached Tijuana, but not without facing further humiliation. During the journey, authorities forcibly made Singh trim his beard, a deeply personal act for a Sikh, which added to the distress of an already grueling ordeal.
The US Crackdown on Illegal Immigrants
Indian nationals like Singh have shared similar stories of catching the US’s strict crackdown on illegal immigrants under President Donald Trump’s administration. Since January, the US has been deporting illegal immigrants to their home countries, including India, on military planes. Singh joined the second batch of 116 deportees who arrived in Amritsar on February 15, following the deportation of 104 individuals in the first batch on February 5. A third batch is expected to land soon.
Singh expressed his frustrations with the journey, recounting the difficult and dehumanizing conditions faced by those who attempt to cross the border illegally. Despite the hardships, Singh, along with the others, has now returned to India, where he plans to rebuild his life after his failed attempt to reach the United States.
This story highlights the perils of attempting illegal immigration and the toll it takes on those who take such extreme measures to seek a better life.
