It took them months to reach the United States of America. From a 15-hour-long boat ride to a walk of 40-45 km. Crossing continents – Qatar, Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Panama, Nicaragua, and then Mexico and spending lakhs of money, only in the hope of living a better life, but in the end, their dreams were crushed, and their efforts went in vain.
The US C-17 military aircraft carrying 104 illegal immigrants arrived in Amritsar on February 5, marking the first batch of deportations under the Donald Trump administration’s strict immigration policies.
The deportees, who had attempted to enter the United States through illegal channels, were reportedly shackled and restrained throughout the flight, only to be freed upon arrival in India.
While speaking to news agency PTI, Jaspal Singh, 36, from Gurdaspur district, Punjab, said the US Border Patrol captured him on January 24. “We were handcuffed, and our legs were chained throughout the journey. These were opened at the Amritsar airport,” he claimed.
“Deceived By The Agent”: Jaspal
Jaspal told the agency that a travel agent deceived him as he was promised that he would be sent to the US in a legal way. “I had asked the agent to send me through a proper visa. But he deceived me,” said Jaspal. He said that the deal was done at ₹30 lakh.
Last year, Jaspal travelled to Brazil by air. He said he was promised that the next leg of his journey to the US would be by air, too. However, his agent “cheated” him and forced him to cross the border illegally.
Jaspal stayed in Brazil for six months. He crossed the border to the US but was arrested by the US Border Patrol. He was kept in custody for 11 days and then sent back home. Jaspal said he didn’t know he was being deported back to India and thought he was being taken to another camp. “We thought we were being taken to another camp. Then a police officer told us that they were being taken to India.
“Sometimes We Got Rice. Sometimes, We Did Not Get Anything To Eat.”
Harwinder Singh left for the US in August last year from a small village named Tahil in Hoshiarpur. He was taken to Qatar, Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Panama, Nicaragua, and then Mexico. He and others were taken to the US from Mexico, he said.
“We crossed hills. A boat, which was taking us along with others, was about to capsize in the sea, but we survived,” he told reporters.
Singh mentioned that he witnessed one person die in the Panama jungle and another drown in the sea. His travel agent had promised to take him first to Europe and then to Mexico. He stated that he spent ₹42 lakh on his trip to the US. “At times, we received rice, and at other times we received nothing to eat. We used to get biscuits,” he remarked.
“If Anybody Got Injured, He Was Left To Die”
While speaking to PTI, another deportee said they were first taken to Italy and then to Latin America. “Our clothes worth ₹30,000-35,000 were stolen on the way,” he said. He also mentioned enduring a 15-hour boat ride and walking 40-45 kilometers during the journey.
“We crossed 17-18 hills. If one slipped, there would be no chance he would survive… We have seen a lot. If anybody got injured, he was left to die. We saw dead bodies,” he said.
