As the second batch of Indian deportees from the United States arrived in Amritsar, one of the returnees, Mandeep Singh, recounted a harrowing ordeal of survival, involving encounters with crocodiles and snakes, prolonged starvation, and forced grooming in violation of his religious beliefs.
Singh, 38, had attempted to enter the US illegally via the notorious “donkey” route but was apprehended by the US Border Patrol on 27 January while trying to cross into the country through Tijuana, Mexico. He was among 116 individuals repatriated in this latest round of deportations, reports Wion News.
Speaking to reporters outside Amritsar Airport, Singh revealed that he had been deceived by an agent who promised him legal entry into the US within a month in exchange for ₹40 lakh, which he paid in two instalments.
His journey began last August with a flight from Amritsar to Delhi, followed by a circuitous route through Mumbai, Nairobi, Amsterdam, and Suriname.
Once in Suriname, additional demands surfaced, with “sub-agents” extracting another ₹20 lakh from his family. From there, he and other migrants endured a gruelling trek through Guyana, Bolivia, Ecuador, and eventually Panama, where they encountered the most perilous phase of their journey.
Singh described the treacherous passage through the jungles of Panama, where he and his fellow travellers found themselves face-to-face with crocodiles and venomous snakes.
“For 13 days, we navigated a path riddled with canals and wild creatures. Some were handed sticks to fend off the reptiles,” he said.
Threats from traffickers further compounded their ordeal.
“We were warned that asking too many questions could get us shot,” he added.
Food was scarce throughout the journey.
“At best, we survived on half-baked chapatis and noodles—anything more was a luxury,” Singh recalled.
After crossing Panama, the group continued through Costa Rica, Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala, and finally reached Tijuana, where Singh said he was forcibly made to trim his beard, violating his Sikh faith.
His dreams of a better future shattered, Singh was eventually arrested and deported alongside hundreds of others as part of the United States’ ongoing crackdown on illegal immigration.
With the return of Donald Trump to the presidency, US authorities have intensified deportations, with three flights carrying a total of 332 Indian migrants landing in Amritsar so far—one on 5 February, another on 15 February, and a third on 6 February.
The plight of these deportees has sparked widespread debate, with Sikh organisations condemning the treatment of migrants and urging authorities to ensure their dignity and rights are upheld.
