Why in News?

• The Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the National Investigation Agency (NIA) of India have intensified their investigations into human trafficking networks exploiting the "Donkey Route".
• The donkey route is an illegal immigration pathway used predominantly by Indian migrants to reach the United States.
• The ongoing probe reveals an intricate web of traffickers, agents, fake visa consultancies, and international conduits, with grave implications for national security, human rights, and foreign relations.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Recent ED and NIA Crackdown
• The "Donkey Route" (or "Dunki") Explained
• Economic Dimensions of Human Trafficking
• India’s Position in Global Illegal Migration
• Variations of Illegal Migration Routes
• Implications for India
• Conclusion

Recent ED and NIA Crackdown:

• ED raids in Punjab and Haryana: Probing money laundering linked to illegal immigration rackets.
• NIA arrests key operatives:
  • Arrest of traffickers linked to Gagandeep Singh, a kingpin arrested earlier.
  • Gagandeep allegedly trafficked over 100 Indians to the U.S. via Latin America, charging ₹45 lakh per person.

The "Donkey Route" (or "Dunki") Explained:

• Meaning: It refers to long, illegal, and often dangerous migration routes involving multiple country border crossings. It was popularised by the 2023 Shahrukh Khan film Dunki.
• Journey path and hazards:
  • Typical route: Starts from India → UAE → Latin American countries (Ecuador, Guyana, Bolivia, where Indian citizens can get visa on arrival or tourist visas easily) → Colombia → Panama (via Darién Gap) → Costa Rica → Nicaragua → Mexico → US.
  • Hazards: Dense forests (Darién Gap), risk of assault, extortion, and animal attacks. Dark, dangerous pathways/ tunnels under the US-Mexico border (e.g., Ciudad Juarez to El Paso).
  • Cartels: The criminal gangs operating in the vicinity of the Mexico-US border have in recent times shifted their primary business from drug trafficking to human trafficking, charging up to $6,000 per person.

Economic Dimensions of Human Trafficking:

• Cost to migrants: Agents charge ₹30-60 lakh, depending on the route. In a 2023 case, passengers paid ₹40 lakh–₹1.25 crore for Nicaragua-bound flights via Europe.
• Agent networks: Local-level agents in India connected to international kingpins, facilitating fraudulent practices like fake visas, forged documents, and forced illegal crossings.

India’s Position in Global Illegal Migration:

• Trends:
  • In 2023, 96,917 Indians were caught/expelled at the US border (up from 30,662 in 2021).
  • According to Pew Research (2022), over 700,000 undocumented Indians in the US — third highest after Mexicans and Hondurans.
• Deportation data (2009–2025):
  • Total deported since 2009: 15,756
  • Highest: 2,042 in 2019.
  • Latest (2025): 104 deported so far this year (as per EAM S. Jaishankar).

Variations of Illegal Migration Routes:

• Student visa route via Canada:
  • Agents arrange admissions in dummy Canadian colleges. Students then cross into the US illegally.
  • Cost: ₹50–60 lakh per person.
  • ED probe: An international syndicate of human traffickers that includes at least 260 colleges in Canada issued student visas to "illegal migrants" to take the Canadian route to the US.
• Case study: Three members of a Gujarati family froze to death at the US-Canada border. This prompted an ED probe into fraudulent agents and money laundering.

Implications for India:

• National security: Involvement of transnational criminal networks poses risks of terror infiltration and financial crimes.
• Diplomatic concerns: India’s image as a top source of undocumented migrants can strain bilateral relations, especially with the US and Canada.
• Human rights violations: Migrants face extreme conditions — death, sexual assault, extortion — violating basic human dignity.
• Policy responses needed:
  • Strengthening emigration laws.
  • Regulating private travel and visa consultancies.
  • Enhancing bilateral cooperation on anti-trafficking.

Conclusion:

• The “Donkey Route” is not just a route — it is a symptom of deep socio-economic desperation and systemic regulatory failures.
• While enforcement agencies like the ED and NIA have intensified crackdowns, a comprehensive policy approach addressing demand, enforcement, international cooperation, and public awareness is essential to tackle this complex issue.