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
• 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

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