Donkey Route… 104 Indians who had entered America illegally through this route were deported on Wednesday (5 February). The first thing that comes to mind when we hear the name of Donkey Route is Panama jungle (Darian Gap). Crossing this route, people from Haryana, Punjab and Gujarat and other states of the country reached America to fulfill their ‘American Dream’.
What is this Donkey Route, who are the Donkers, what were the compulsions to fulfill which people risk their lives and head towards America. There are many such questions, for the answers of which we talked to travel agents, immigration experts and people who entered America through Donkey Route….
First of all, 3 reasons to go to America…
1. Good income, good life: Rupee is used in India and dollar in America. One dollar there converts into rupees many times here. In such a situation, a person feels that once he reaches America, he will earn thousands of dollars and will have lakhs of rupees in his country. This will lead to a bigger house, a bigger car. Children’s future will be secure. Even in the country, the salary received in rupees for a job will fulfil the needs, but the dreams will not be fulfilled. This is where the American Dream begins.
2. Visa is not available: There are visa rules to go to America. One has to pass the IELTS exam. Some people fail in the exam. Some people do not know English well. Some are unable to complete the visa formalities, so they have no option left except crossing the border illegally i.e. the donkey route.
3. I will also go to the neighbouring America: In many states including Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat, there is a trend that if the neighbour has gone to America, then they also have to go. Call it social pressure or prestige, settling abroad makes them feel proud. As a result, they stake everything and set out for America.
Then the agents lure them with guaranteed entry
When a person is mentally prepared that he has to go to America, then the agents enter. They show dreams of guaranteed visa to America, good job there and then permanent citizenship. They file for visa. They keep on extorting money. Visa is not granted and then they trap people to take them to America through donkey route. For this, they make arrangements with Donkers. There are proper packages for Donkers too…
Sold land and jewellery to arrange money, took loan
People sell their land to go to America. If money is less, they sell the jewellery of the house. They take loan from bank or private person and keep giving it to Donkers. Some people hand over their life savings to Donkers. Mostly lower middle class people get trapped in this. They give 25 to 60 lakh rupees to Donkers.
Donkey route to go to America…
The distance from India to America is about 13,500 km. It takes 17 to 20 hours to reach here by air. However, through the Donkey Route, this distance is up to 15 thousand km and this journey takes months.
Most people go from Latin American countries
The most popular and first stop of Donkey in India is to reach Latin American countries. These include countries like Ecuador, Bolivia and Guyana. Indians get visa on arrival in these countries. This means that there is no need to get a visa in advance to go to these countries and visa is given on the spot.
Indians are easily given tourist visa in some other countries including Brazil and Venezuela. From here, people reach Colombia through the Donkey Route. Many people go to Latin American countries via Dubai. In this, they have to stay in containers for months.
The Donkey Route depends on how many connections the agent through whom you are going has in the respective countries. Although it is not difficult to reach Latin American countries, it still takes months to reach here. Many times people reach there after working hard and spending money in ten months.
Dangerous jungle, fear of poisonous snakes in rivers and streams
After reaching Colombia, Donkeys enter Panama. Darian Gap is a dangerous jungle between these two countries. Crossing it is very risky. There is always a fear of poisonous insects and snakes in the rivers and streams. This jungle is also known for dangerous criminals. Donkeys are also robbed in this jungle. Be it a woman or a man, the criminals here even rape them.
Many times if a Dunkey falls asleep for a while, a snake bites him. Finding dead bodies of Dunkeys in this jungle is not a new thing. There is no government here. If luck favors and everything goes well, then the Donkey crosses the Panama jungle in 10 to 15 days.
Guatemala is a big center, agents are exchanged here
After crossing the Panama jungle, the next stop is Guatemala. Guatemala is a big coordination center for human trafficking. While moving towards the American border, Donkey is handed over to another agent.
Daler Singh, who returned to Amritsar, said that he had to stay hungry and thirsty for 3 and a half days. Robbery, violence and danger from animals are common on this route. Many people also die on this route.
Dangerous river as well
If any donkey does not want to go through Panama jungle, then there is another route from Colombia. This route starts from San Andres. It is said that this route is very risky. From San Andres, donkeys take a boat to Nicaragua, a country in Central America. From here, after travelling 150 kms by boat, they are transferred to another boat which goes to Mexico. Border police patrols this river. Dangerous animals in the river are ready to take lives.
Entering America by crossing 18 to 30 feet wall
Now donkeys will have to go from Mexico to US border. There are different kinds of problems on the way. Along with cold, there is also a desert in between. After this, donkey reaches US Mexico border where there is a 3,140 kms long wall. Its height is 18 to 30 feet.
Donkeys enter America by jumping over it. Those who are unable to cross the walls, choose the dangerous route of crossing the Rio Grande river. Before going to America, Dunky’s passport and identity documents are taken away from him. This is because if he is identified, he will be deported back to India. Now Dunky has entered America illegally.
