July 12, 2024 09:09 IST
Delhi, India — A sophisticated network of agents exploiting visa-on-arrival policies to facilitate illegal immigration to the United States and Canada has been dismantled by Delhi Police. This crackdown, part of an extensive investigation involving the Bureau of Immigration and other security agencies, has led to the arrest of 11 agents in the first half of 2024.
The agents, often referred to as operators of ‘Donkey Routes’, have been manipulating visa-on-arrival services provided by certain countries to Indian nationals. These services, originally intended for tourism, are being misused to create complex travel itineraries that culminate in illegal border crossings into North America.
A senior officer revealed that a prevalent method involves sending passengers to countries like Azerbaijan or Kazakhstan using fake Schengen visas. From there, they are redirected through Central American or Caribbean nations, such as Guatemala and Costa Rica, before attempting to enter the USA. “These policies are intended for tourists but are being misused to facilitate illegal immigration,” the officer noted.
DCP Usha Rangnani of IGI Airport detailed a recent arrest where a passenger was deported from the USA as an illegal immigrant. This individual had initially reached the USA in 2017 via a ‘donkey route’, coordinated by two agents for a fee of Rs. 20 lakhs. The journey, passing through Dubai, Cuba, Peru, Nicaragua, and Mexico, subjected the passenger to severe hardships, including hunger and sleep deprivation. The agents confiscated his passport, and despite managing to work in the USA, his efforts were in vain when he was imprisoned in 2023 following a quarrel in Chicago. His illegal status led to deportation, nullifying all the risks and costs involved.
The use of ‘donkey routes’ is not confined to North America. In another incident, two agents from Rajasthan arranged for a passenger to travel to Thailand on a tourist visa. Once in Thailand, the passenger’s illegal entry into Malaysia was orchestrated via a ‘donkey route’, exploiting the porous borders between these countries. The passenger remained in Malaysia for work, and the agents falsified his passport with Thai immigration stamps to legitimize his stay. However, on returning to India, the passenger was caught due to a discrepancy in his passport’s issue date and a fake visa-on-arrival stamp from Thailand.
The proactive measures by the IGI Airport Police have led to the apprehension of 108 fraudulent agents involved in visa and passport fraud. The police’s efforts underline their commitment to maintaining national security and the integrity of immigration processes.
Collaborative strategies and vigilant operations remain crucial in combating organized crime. The public is encouraged to report any suspicious activities to assist in curbing this menace and ensuring the safety and trustworthiness of air travel.
The IGI Airport Police’s dedication to dismantling these illegal networks demonstrates their resolve in safeguarding the nation’s borders and upholding the law.
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