Donkey Route:
Indian deportees from the US, arriving in Amritsar, recently shared their harrowing experiences using the “donkey route” for illegal immigration.
- Donkey Route named after a Punjabi idiom referring to an arduous, unplanned journey, it involves crossing multiple international borders, often through treacherous terrain, under false promises of legal entry.
- It typically involves illegal border crossings via indirect routes with multiple stops in different countries.
- For instance, individuals might obtain a tourist visa for the European Union’s Schengen Area, allowing free movement across 26 countries, and then illegally enter the UK with the help of “consultants” or “agents.”
- These agents often charge hefty fees for services ranging from fake documentation to smuggling via shipping containers.
