What began as a journey of hope for Lovepreet Kaur and her 10-year-old son turned into a nightmare as they were among the 104 deportees who landed in Amritsar on Wednesday aboard a US Air Force flight. Lovepreet, 30, a resident of Bholath in Kapurthala district, had paid Rs 1 crore to an agent for a promised direct route to the United States, only to be deceived and subjected to an arduous and harrowing journey across multiple countries, according to Indian Express.
A Traumatic Journey Through the ‘Dunki’ Route
Recounting her ordeal, Lovepreet revealed that instead of a straightforward passage to the US, she was forced to take an illegal migration route, commonly known as the ‘dunki’ route. She and others were first taken to Medellin, Colombia, where they remained for nearly two weeks before being flown to San Salvador, El Salvador. From there, they endured a grueling three-hour walk to Guatemala, followed by a taxi ride to the Mexican border. After a brief stay in Mexico, they finally crossed into the United States on January 27.
However, their relief was short-lived. US authorities immediately detained them, confiscating their belongings, including SIM cards and even small ornaments. “We were kept in a camp for five days before being shackled and flown back to India on February 2,” she told India Express, recalling how deportees were handcuffed and chained from the waist to their legs, with only children spared from such treatment.
A Family’s Financial Ruin
For Lovepreet, the deportation was not just a personal tragedy but also a financial catastrophe for her family, who had taken a massive loan to fund the journey. “I wanted a better future for my son. My family borrowed heavily, believing we would soon reunite with our relatives in California. Now, everything is lost,” she expressed to Indian Express.
Back in Punjab, Lovepreet and her family own just 1.5 acres of land, where she lives with her husband and elderly in-laws. She now urges the government to take strict action against fraudulent travel agents who exploit desperate families. “The government must act against these criminals and recover our money. They sell us dreams, only to abandon us in foreign lands,” she said, according to Indian Express.
A Stark Warning Against Illegal Migration
A police official present at Lovepreet’s residence described her ordeal as a sobering lesson on the dangers of illegal migration and the false promises made by human traffickers. The large-scale deportation has once again put the spotlight on the thriving ‘dunki’ networks that continue to lure people into perilous journeys with the hope of a better life abroad.
For Lovepreet, the future remains uncertain, but she hopes that her story will serve as a warning to others. “I wanted the best for my son, but now, I don’t know what lies ahead. I just hope justice is served, and no one else suffers as we did,” she said.