Is Immigration in America more important than life itself?

It is beyond my understanding how people manage to pay such huge sums—₹50 lakh, ₹70 lakh, or even up to ₹1 crore—to agents so that they can enter America illegally since they are unable to go legally. And as you can see in the news here, "We risk everything for a dream and were sent back in chains."

So basically, you must have seen the pictures being shown continuously since yesterday, where more than 100 Indians—around 104—have been deported from America back to India. The scenes that have emerged are something that no Indian would probably like. You can see how they have been sent back with chains tied to their hands and feet.

Now, one thing is clear: they did something illegal. They entered America through unlawful means. The opposition has raised several questions regarding this, asking what exactly India is doing and what the Indian government is doing about it. Let me tell you that our External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, has defended this situation, stating that this is not a new development. The kind of restraints used are a standard operating procedure whenever someone enters illegally and is deported.

He also assured that the Indian government would discuss with the U.S. government to ensure that these people are not mistreated or subjected to inhumane treatment and that they are sent back properly.

Ultimately, we need to understand the political atmosphere that Donald Trump created before elections and how, after becoming President, he has been working in a way that proves to his supporters that he is serious about this issue. This is also a part of domestic politics.

But what needs to be understood is that all the people who were on that plane and have returned to India have essentially lost their "American dream."

At the same time, it is important to understand that illegal migration routes are not only used by people from India but by people from all over the world who want to go to America. This is not something that will completely stop; though the number of people using such routes may decrease, it will not entirely end.

Now, let me explain why people risk their lives to go to America and why they do so. First, let's look at the current number of illegal Indians in America. According to the available data, approximately 725,000 undocumented Indian nationals are in the U.S.

Additionally, many more people are ready to cross the border. By the time you are listening to this, several people would already be on their way, following this route to reach America. The big question is: why do so many Indians want to move to the U.S.?

The biggest reason is economic opportunities. Although there are multiple factors driving people to move, economic opportunities are the primary reason. They believe that if they reach America, they will have a better life. However, many Indians realize the harsh reality only after arriving there, as things may not be as they imagined. But still, their main goal is to get decent work and a better standard of living.

Another reason is pride—some people want to settle in America just to take pride in saying, "Look, we live in America." Some individuals feel that they are not happy in India or that they don't like it here, so they move abroad and proudly declare that they are U.S. citizens or that their children live in the U.S.

If we look at the undocumented immigrants in the U.S., Indians form the third-largest group. In fact, India is the only country in the top five outside of Latin America that contributes to illegal immigration in the U.S.

Most illegal immigrants entering the U.S. come from Latin American countries such as Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Colombia, and Venezuela. However, India stands out as the only non-Latin American country in the top five.

This shows that a significant number of Indians are illegally migrating to the U.S. Recently, a Bollywood movie by Shah Rukh Khan, "Dunki," highlighted this issue.

What is the Dunki Route?

The Dunki Route refers to an illegal migration path used by those who cannot enter the U.S. legally. It involves multiple stops across various countries before reaching Central America.

Typically, migrants first reach Panama, Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Guatemala before making their way on foot to Mexico. From there, they attempt to cross the U.S. border illegally.

To take this route, migrants get in touch with human smugglers (agents) who help them reach the U.S. But this journey is not easy—it involves significant risks, including walking through dangerous terrains and crossing multiple countries.

Many of these agents charge huge sums—₹50 lakh, ₹70 lakh, or even ₹1 crore—to facilitate this journey. Despite having such large amounts of money, these migrants are willing to pay agents rather than investing it in their lives in India.

So while economic opportunity is a major factor, the desire to live in America for status and pride also plays a crucial role. Some migrants are even willing to pay $50,000 to $100,000 just to reach America illegally.

Once the payment is made to an agent, the agent arranges everything, but the journey is highly dangerous. Migrants have to cross several countries, and in some cases, they first travel to Dubai. If they manage to get a direct visa to Mexico, they are taken there. However, this is just the beginning of their journey.

Once they reach Latin America, the real struggle begins, as they have to cross treacherous jungles, mountains, and dangerous paths on foot.

The Darien Gap – The Most Dangerous Route

A key part of this journey is crossing the Darien Gap, a 97 km stretch that lies between Colombia and Panama. This area is covered with dense rainforests, swamps, and mountains, making it one of the most dangerous migration routes in the world.

The Pan-American Highway, which runs from Alaska to Argentina, has an incomplete section due to the Darien Gap. Since there is no road connectivity, migrants have to cross this perilous stretch on foot.

Many die along the way, with reports suggesting that 10 to 12 people die daily attempting to cross.

There have been multiple cases where migrants, including entire families, have lost their lives in the Darien Gap. In some cases, people are robbed, kidnapped, or even killed by criminals along the way.

For instance, one Indian family reported that their relative was taken from Dubai to Kazakhstan, then to Turkey, then to Panama, and finally to El Salvador. However, during their journey, they were kidnapped by smugglers, and eventually shot dead.

This raises serious questions about why people continue to take such dangerous journeys despite the risks involved. The Darien Gap is frequently in the news, and it is important for people to be aware of it.