New Delhi: The Delhi Police have unearthed three routes taken by illegal immigrants also known as Donkey routes in popular culture that are facilitated by the travel agents to send gullible people abroad, primarily to the United States and European countries. The police operation resulted in the arrest of a notorious travel agent responsible for orchestrating this fraud.
According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (IGIA) Usha Rangnani, the arrested travel agent guided individuals in leaving India by utilizing the donkey route, which involved transiting through multiple countries, including Kazakhstan, Dubai, Senegal, Libya, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, and Mexico. After a gruelling journey lasting over 13 months, the migrants would finally enter the United States.
The term “donkey routes” refers to unauthorized and illicit pathways used for human trafficking and illegal migration. The agents presiding over these routes prey on individuals seeking better opportunities, luring them with false promises while subjecting them to hazardous and often life-threatening journeys.
In addition to the aforementioned route, police have also uncovered two other donkey routes commonly used by illegal immigrants. One route involves travelling to South American and Caribbean nations that offer “Visa on Arrival” facilities, such as El Salvador, Curacao, Nicaragua, and Suriname. From there, migrants make their way to Mexico and subsequently enter the United States.
Another widely used route passes through Europe, requiring transit via countries like Poland, Belarus, Turkey, Greece, and Italy. These routes are preferred due to various factors, including the exploitation of visa loopholes, the availability of relatively cheap flights, and the ease of access.
People opt for donkey routes to enter developed nations such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and Canada in search of work and improved financial stability. Typically, these routes are taken by individuals who are unable to secure official visas for lack of education, poor communication skills, or other personal constraints. As a result, they fall prey to agents who entice them with illegal migration opportunities, charging exorbitant amounts—often exceeding Rs 40-50 lakh—for a journey that can last over a year or even longer.
The entire case came to light when an Indian national, Maninder Pal Singh, 20, was deported from the United States on December 14, 2024. Upon his arrival at IGI Airport in Delhi, a thorough examination of his passport revealed missing pages, which were suspected to have contained fraudulent visas and immigration stamps. This discovery prompted the authorities to launch an investigation immediately, leading to the registration of FIR No. 946/2024 under multiple legal provisions.
During further interrogation, Singh disclosed that he had paid Rs 41 lakh to an agent named Mandeep Singh, who orchestrated his illegal journey to the United States. His extensive travel route included multiple stopovers in countries such as Kazakhstan, Dubai, Senegal, Libya, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, and Mexico before he successfully entered the US in November 2024. To cover up his unauthorized travel, Singh was instructed to remove specific pages from his passport that contained forged visas and immigration stamps. However, US authorities detected the tampered passport, detained him for two months, and subsequently deported him back to India.
Based on Singh’s revelations, law enforcement officials arrested Mandeep Singh from Moga, Punjab. Further interrogation of Mandeep led to the identification and subsequent arrest of Amit Arora, a habitual offender with a criminal history that included ten prior cases of visa and passport fraud registered in Chandigarh. Arora operated a travel agency in Sector 17, Chandigarh, and worked in collaboration with Mandeep Singh to exploit individuals seeking overseas employment and migration opportunities. A specialized police team, led by Inspector Sushil Goyal, SHO/IGI Airport, under the supervision of ACP/IGI Airport, conducted a comprehensive investigation and gathered critical intelligence, ultimately leading to Arora’s arrest in Delhi.
Additionally, authorities have intensified their efforts to dismantle such fraudulent networks. According to law enforcement officials, as many as 21 agents were arrested in 2024 for involvement in fraudulent activities, including forging visa stamps and arranging travel on counterfeit passports. Furthermore, six agents have already been apprehended by the authorities this year. Ongoing investigations aim to identify additional agents involved in such illegal operations, scrutinize financial transactions, and prevent further fraudulent activities related to unauthorized immigration.