Lovepreet Kaur, a 30-year-old woman from Punjab’s Kapurthala district, was among 104 Indian illegal immigrants deported by the US authorities after attempting to enter the country through the dangerous ‘dunki’ route via Mexico. Her journey, which cost her family ₹1.05 crore, ended in detention and deportation, exposing the harsh reality of human trafficking and illegal migration.
A Costly and Risky Journey
- Lovepreet, along with her 10-year-old son, left India on January 2 with hopes of reuniting with her husband, who has been living in the US for years.
- The family reportedly arranged funds through loans against their farmland, trusting agents who promised safe passage.
- Instead of a direct route, she endured a perilous 25-day journey across multiple Latin American countries before being caught by US border authorities.
Detention and Deportation
- After being apprehended, Lovepreet and others were held in US detention centers under strict conditions.
- “We were chained and treated like criminals,” she recounted, describing the ordeal.
- Her deportation was confirmed by her husband, who informed the family of the heartbreaking news.
Growing Crisis of Illegal Migration
The ‘dunki’ route has become a preferred but highly dangerous path for many seeking illegal entry into the US. With increasing crackdowns by US authorities, many migrants face severe consequences, including detention and deportation.
Indian officials have urged citizens to avoid falling prey to fraudulent agents who exploit desperate families with false promises. Meanwhile, the deportation of over 100 Indian nationals has reignited discussions about immigration policies and human trafficking networks.
