Why Desperation Drives Thousands Abroad Despite the Risks
IT WAS HEARTBREAKING to watch videos and photographs of illegal migrants being transported to India in handcuffs and shackles. All of them had spent lakhs of rupees and undertaken an arduous journey to their land of dreams, only to end up back home in such a humiliating manner.
While it is not possible to justify illegal migration, it remains a fact of life and has been occurring for a long time. Reports of people being caught and deported or being cheated by travel agents have not deterred them from trying their luck.
In fact, according to official figures, 15,700 Indians have been deported since 2009. However, previous deportations went almost unnoticed, whereas this time, the United States appears to have deliberately made a spectacle of it.
Adding to this is the controversy stirred by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann over the landing of U.S. military aircraft carrying illegal migrants at Amritsar airport.
He alleged that there was a “deliberate attempt to defame Punjab” by suggesting that all illegal immigrants were from Punjab.
This controversy is uncalled for. There is no denying that this region, particularly Punjab, contributes the largest share of illegal migrants from India.
Moreover, details of the returning illegal migrants, including the states they belong to, are also provided. Therefore, the claim of a deliberate attempt to defame Punjab does not hold much ground.
A US Air Force aircraft carrying Indian migrants at International Airport in Amritsar
Amritsar happens to be the first international airport for aircraft arriving from the West to land in India. Why should the United States accommodate India’s choice of airports for dropping off illegal migrants?
They are justified in using the nearest airport, of course, with the consent of the Indian government.
What Bhagwant Mann and others should have questioned is why the Indian government did not send its own aircraft to bring back its citizens. Other countries, including Mexico, have done so. What prevented the Indian government from doing the same?
By using its own aircraft, India could have arranged landings at various locations, thus preventing the humiliation of deportees who could have returned without being handcuffed and shackled.
The central government has not issued any statement on this matter. It can still send aircraft, as many more illegal migrants are awaiting deportation.
The public display of deportations has also highlighted the role of travel agents who exploit the desperation of those keen on going abroad by fair means or foul. These agents mislead people by claiming they have connections to ensure everything is done legally.
The victims, mostly illiterate and unskilled, fall into their trap. Numerous stories reveal how people sell their land or houses or take heavy loans to finance their journey. The “dunki route,” on which most of them are sent, is hazardous, and several victims are known to have died along the way.
Evidently, neither the central government nor state governments have taken effective steps to deter travel agents involved in illegal migration. It is not that these governments are unaware of what’s going on. If necessary, laws should be amended to impose harsh punishments on such unscrupulous agents.
At the same time, the government must address the root cause of why youngsters are desperate to go abroad. The lack of opportunities and high unemployment are the major factors. Experts should be engaged to provide guidance on tackling these issues and creating more job opportunities. 
Also Read:
A Flight of Disgrace: India Must Stand Up
A Bicycle Crashing into a Plane?
Vipin Pubby
The author, a freelance journalist, is a former Resident Editor of Indian Express, Chandigarh, and reported on the political developments in Jammu and Kashmir, North-Eastern India, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab in his long, illustrious career.
Disclaimer : PunjabTodayNews.com and other platforms of the Punjab Today group strive to include views and opinions from across the entire spectrum, but by no means do we agree with everything we publish. Our efforts and editorial choices consistently underscore our authors’ right to the freedom of speech. However, it should be clear to all readers that individual authors are responsible for the information, ideas or opinions in their articles, and very often, these do not reflect the views of PunjabTodayNews.com or other platforms of the group. Punjab Today does not assume any responsibility or liability for the views of authors whose work appears here.
Punjab Today believes in serious, engaging, narrative journalism at a time when mainstream media houses seem to have given up on long-form writing and news television has blurred or altogether erased the lines between news and slapstick entertainment. We at Punjab Today believe that readers such as yourself appreciate cerebral journalism, and would like you to hold us against the best international industry standards. Brickbats are welcome even more than bouquets, though an occasional pat on the back is always encouraging. Good journalism can be a lifeline in these uncertain times worldwide. You can support us in myriad ways. To begin with, by spreading word about us and forwarding this reportage. Stay engaged.
— Team PT