Published on: February 10, 2025
DUNKI AND ILLEGAL MIGRATION
DUNKI AND ILLEGAL MIGRATION
Understanding the ‘Dunki’ Journey
- Definition: ‘Dunki’ or ‘donkey journey’ refers to the long, dangerous routes migrants take to reach their destination countries due to a lack of legal permits or financial resources.
- Reasons for Undertaking Dunki Routes:
- Lack of requisite visas or permits
- Financial constraints
- Desire for better economic opportunities
- Lack of requisite visas or permits
- Consequences:
- Many migrants are deported upon discovery
- Increased risks of exploitation and danger during the journey
Deportation from the USA
- Definition: Deportation is the process of removing non-citizens from the US for violating immigration laws.
- Reasons for Deportation:
- Involvement in criminal activities
- Threat to public safety
- Violation of visa regulations
- Process:
- Detainees may be held in detention centers before trial or deportation
- Deportation proceedings are conducted under US immigration law
Countries with High Deportation Rates
- Top Deportation Destinations (According to the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s 2024 Report):
- Honduras
- Mexico
- Guatemala
- El Salvador
- India’s Position:
- India ranks above China in deportation numbers
- Nearly equals Brazil in the number of deported citizens
Operation of the Dunki Network
- How Migrants Travel Illegally:
- Sent to countries with visa-on-arrival facilities before being rerouted to final destinations
- Use of fake Schengen visas to enter Europe before traveling to the US via Central America or the Caribbean
- Common Routes Used:
- Schengen Visa Route:
- Migrants travel through Azerbaijan or Kazakhstan
- From there, they move via Central American countries like Guatemala and Costa Rica to reach the US
- Turkey-Russia Route:
- Migrants enter Turkey on a tourist visa
- Travel to Kazakhstan and then take the ‘Dunki’ route to Russia before reaching the US
- Bangkok-Malaysia Route:
- A 15-minute bus or 20-minute boat ride connects Thailand and Malaysia
- Migrants obtain fake Schengen visas before heading to Mexico, where they receive visas on arrival
- They then undertake a dangerous land journey to the US
- Darien Gap Route:
- Some migrants cross the Darien Gap, a treacherous jungle path connecting Panama and Colombia, as part of their journey to the US
- Schengen Visa Route:
India’s Response to Deportation
- Proposed Legislative Changes:
- The Indian government is considering the ‘Overseas Mobility (Facilitation and Welfare) Bill, 2024’
- Aims to promote safe, orderly, and regular migration for overseas employment
- Need for Reforms:
- Recognizing global migration trends, the government sees a need to replace the outdated Emigration Act of 1983
- Awareness Campaigns by Indian Missions:
- Spreading information on safe migration practices
- Educating emigrants about registered recruiting agents
- Warning against fraudulent recruiting agencies
Key Insights from the World Migration Report 2024
- India’s Global Migration Status:
- India received over USD 111 billion in remittances in 2022, the highest in the world
- India became the first country to surpass the USD 100 billion mark in remittances
- India has the largest diaspora globally, with significant populations in:
- United Arab Emirates
- United States
- Saudi Arabia
The Issue of H1-B Visas in India-USA Relations
- Political Debate in the USA:
- Immigration is a highly polarizing issue in US politics
- Public sentiment on immigration has shifted significantly, with 14.6% of voters in a 2023 YouGov poll citing immigration as the most important issue, compared to 2.1% in 2012
- Former President Donald Trump capitalized on these concerns by promising to curb immigration
- What is the H-1B Visa?
- The H-1B visa program allows American employers to hire foreign workers for specialized jobs requiring a high level of skill and at least a bachelor’s degree
- Established in 1990 to help businesses find skilled labor that was unavailable in the US workforce
- Duration and Renewal:
- Issued for a maximum of six years
- Visa holders must leave the US for at least 12 months before reapplying or seek permanent residency (Green Card)
- Indian Dominance in H-1B Visa Approvals:
- Indians account for over 70% of all H-1B petitions approved annually since 2015
- Chinese applicants are a distant second, making up around 12-13% of approvals since 2018