Residents in northern Haryana districts often pay large sums to illegal immigration agents, seeking better opportunities abroad, primarily targeting the USA, UK, or Canada. Home Minister Anil Vij ordered a state-level SIT, led by Ambala’s IGP Sibas Kabiraj, to investigate 383 cases of immigration fraud. Since its formation, the SIT has handled about 645 such cases, resulting in 518 arrests. Initially concentrated in Ambala, Kurukshetra, and other northern areas, Fatehabad in southern Haryana is emerging as a new hotspot for such complaints.
The rise in complaints signifies a shift in dynamics, with many individuals resorting to illicit methods for overseas travel due to ineligibility or lack of resources for legal migration. Often, they pay exorbitant amounts, ranging from 40 to 50 lakhs, far exceeding legal expenses. Termed as “donkey routes,” these illegal pathways leave many stranded, detained, or deported, causing immense hardships. Despite aspirations for a better life abroad, these ventures often end in disappointment or legal repercussions.
