The Points in Focus
- The donkey route is a clandestine path used by Indian migrants, mostly from Punjab, Haryana, and Gujarat, to enter the US.
- Factors like socio-economic pressures and cultural aspirations push many to risk this dangerous journey.
- A complex network of agents in India and South America facilitates the route, often charging extremely high fees selling “The Great American Dream”.
- The trek includes crossing the dreaded Darien Gap, traveling through multiple Southern-Central American nations, and crossing the US-Mexico border.
- Many face exploitation, physical harm, and financial ruin, but the lure of better wages and social status remains strong.
- The donkey route’s success rate is significant, though thousands have died or been arrested while crossing.
- Costs can range from usd 20,000 to 60,000 or maybe more, often financed through Loans or Sale of Land, Property, Jewellery or even Tractors.
- Data indicates an increase in Indian nationals encountered at the US border, majority from these states.
- Solutions involve improved rural prospects, awareness campaigns, and international co-operation to break smuggling networks.
1. Let’s See: Why?
In recent years, a growing phenomenon has captured headlines in both India and the United States: the substantial number of Indian nationals—particularly from the states of Punjab, Haryana, and Gujarat—undertaking treacherous journeys through South and Central America to reach the US border. This clandestine pathway is commonly reffered to as the “Donkey Route.” Despite the enormous risks, soaring costs, and the constant threat of exploitation by criminal networks, this route has become an increasingly popular option for those desperate to reach the United States while circumventing normal visa and immigration procedures.
2. What is the Historical Background of Indian Migration?
For decades, Indians have migrated to countries like the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia in search of better economic opportunities, education, and an improved standard of living. Within India, certain states—such as Punjab, Haryana, and Gujarat—have historically shown higher rates of out-migration, fueled by multiple factors:
- Agricultural Economy: Punjab and Haryana, widely hailed as the breadbasket states of India, have an agrarian focus. Over time, the diminishing profitability of farmland has forced many families to look overseas for alternate livelihoods.
- Cultural Aspirations: In Punjab, especially, there is a strong cultural narrative around going abroad, sometimes reffered to colloquially as “kabootarbaazi.” Meanwhile, Gujarati communities with their entrepreneurial spirit have established business networks across the globe.
- Lack of Adequate Legal Avenues: While many Indians do secure work visas, student visas, or family sponsorships, the demand for these far outweighs the supply, creating significant backlogs.
- Socio-Economic Pressures: Many aspiring migrants see leaving for the West as the only means to uplift there families out of financial constraints or to gain social prestige.
3. What Is the Donkey Route?
The “Donkey Route” is a colloquial phrase used among some South Asian communities to describe an irregular pathway to enter a foreign country—most notably the United States—through a chain of transit points in South and Central America. Rather than traveling directly to the US with a legitimate visa or documentation, migrants:
- Fly into specific South American nations (like Suriname, Guyana, Brazil, Ecuador, or Peru etc.) that offer comparatively simpler entry requirements for Indian citizens
- Undertake a grueling journey northwards through the Darien Gap in Panama, then through several Central American countries, and eventually into Mexico
- Attempt to cross the US border illegally, frequently under dangerous conditions
The term “donkey” is used figuratively, reflecting how exhausting, slow, and rife with hardship the route can be, resembling a beast of burden laden with heavy loads.
4. What Factors Are Driving Popularity Among Punjabis, Haryanvis, and Gujaratis?
Despite the apparent dangers, the Donkey Route has gained notable popularity among pepole from Punjab, Haryana, and Gujarat for various reasons:
- Socio-Economic Pressures: Dwindling returns from farmland in Punjab and Haryana, and a desire for better business oportunities among Gujaratis, push them to look for greener pastures abroad.
- Influence of Returnees: Those who do manage to reach the US, even through irregular channels, often send back remittances that significantly raise the living standard of their families, fueling a success narrative in local communities.
- Long Wait for Legal Channels: The long queues for H-1B visas, student visas, or family-based sponsorships can stretch for years, prompting some to opt for faster but illegal means.
- Agent-Driven Promotion: Local sub-agents often highlight “success stories,” downplaying the real dangers and painting an overly rosy picture to attract new clients.
5. What is the Complex Network of Agents?
A wide underground network of agents, or “travel facilitators,” operates on both ends—India and South/Central America—to arrange false documents, flight itineraries, and perilous border crossings. The structure can be segmented into:
- Local Recruiters: Individuals or small firms that directly engage with prospective migrants in smaller towns and villages, capitalizing on personal trust and word-of-mouth references.
- Master Agents: Typically based in larger cities like Delhi, Chandigarh, or Ahmedabad, these agents maintain an extensive network and coordinate with agents in Latin America.
- Transit-Country Agents: Operating in countries like Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia, or Peru, they manage local transportation, lodging, and subsequent connections.
- Cartel and Gang Members: Particularly active in Central America and Mexico, where criminal organizations often control or tax the smuggling corridors.
- Safe House Operators: They provide short-term shelters, sometimes charging daily or weekly fees, where migrants wait for instructions for the next leg of the journey.
6. What is the Modus Operandi of Agents in India?
6.1. Recruitment Tactics
- Word of Mouth: Agents rely heavily on their track record and local reputation, as satisfied clients spread the word about successful journeys.
- Community Functions: Some agents sponsor local events or celebrations to gain visibility and trust.
- Online Marketing: Modern technology has seen the rise of agents using social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook or WhatsApp to lure new clients with success stories and testimonies.
6.2. Promises and Pitch
- Job Prospects: They often guarantee immediate employment in the US with inflated wage estimates.
- Speedy Process: Agents claim the route is quick if the migrant cooperates, ignoring possible delays.
- Document Assistance: They offer forged passports, tourist visas, or other documentation to help migrants gain entry into transit nations.
6.3. Payment Structure
- Initial Down Payment: A chunk of the total fee is collected upfront to cover paperwork and flight bookings.
- Instalments: The remainder is paid in increments, sometimes upon completion of certain stages of the journey.
- Hawala Systems: Many prefer untraceable hawala channels to avoid official scrutiny of large transactions.
7. How Money Flows to Agents in South America?
7.1. Local Facilitation
Upon landing in a south American country, local agents coordinate:
- Accommodation in crowded hostels or apartments.
- Travel to border areas for crossing into neighboring nations.
- Handovers to specialized smugglers for jungle or river passages.
7.2. Bribes and Corruption
- Corrupt local officials or border guards may accept bribes to overlook unauthorized crosssings.
- Criminal organizations operating in remote areas like the Darien Gap demand “protection fees.”
7.3. Payment Collection
- Payment is often funneled through the Indian master agent, who releases funds to local agents after each successful stage.
- This system ensures that local agents remain motivated to guide migrants to the next checkpoint.
7.4. The Safe House Economy
- Each safe house charges a daily or weekly fee, which can escalate the final cost of the journey.
- Migrants who fail to pay can face extortion, or be forced to work off their debt under abusive conditions.
8. Why the Donkey Route so Dangerous?
While specifics can vary, the Donkey Route typically unfolds in five main phases, each with its own hazards and logistical hurdles
8.1. Flying into South America
- Brazil: Historically lenient tourist visa policies made Brazil a popular initial destination.
- Ecuador: Once visa-free for Indians, though policies have since changed, it remains a key entry point through agent-arranged documents.
- Peru, Colombia, or Guyana: Some migrants enter these nations on tourist visas or forged documents, orchestrated by agents.
8.2. Crossing the Darien Gap
The Darien Gap is notorious for its extreme dangers:
- Inhospitable Terrain: Dense rainforest, swamps, and rivers make it an exhausting and risky trek, often taking 5-10 days on foot.
- Criminal Elements: Armed groups and bandits frequently operate here, putting migrants at risk of robbery, violence, or kidnapping.
- Physical Hardships: Shortages of food, water, and medical care lead to injuries and occasional fatalities.
8.3. Moving Through Central America
After crossing into Panama, migrants pass through:
- Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, and Guatemala: Each border crossing may involve bribes or stealthy methods to evade detection. Migrants typically use buses, trucks, or even travel on foot for certain segments.
8.4. Journey Through Mexico
- Cartels and Coyotes: Migrants face formidable threats from organized crime groups who demand hefty fees for passage.
- Border Towns: Locations like Tapachula, Reynosa, or Tijuana become prolonged waiting zones.
- Corruption: Local police or officials may extort money from migrants under the threat of deportation.
8.5. Crossing the US Border
Finally, migrants attempt to cross into the US by:
- Desert Routes: Enduring scorching heat in areas like Arizona or Texas, with a high risk of dehydration or exhaustion.
- River Crossings: Braving the Rio Grande, often leading to drownings or injuries.
- Ports of Entry: Some surrender themselves to US Border Patrol and claim asylum, facing possible detention and legal hurdles.
9. Why the Donkey Route is so Popular?
Despite the formidable dangers and high cost, the Donkey Route has not only persisted but grown in popularity over the last decade. According to various NGO assessments, news reports, and academic journals—including those from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), local Latin American media outlets, and investigative pieces in The Guardian and BBC—there are several critical reasons behind this sustained success. First and foremost, the “push factors” in home countries—ranging from economic downturns and political instability to cultural aspirations—create an unrelenting stream of people willing to attempt the crossing. On the other side, the “pull factors” of perceived prosperity in the United States, combined with an active network of agents who continuously refine smuggling tactics, make the route appear both accessible and achievable.
9.1 Rising Numbers from Across the Globe
Over the last 10 years (2013-2023), an estimated 1.2 million individuals from around the world have embarked on journeys that involve crossing multiple South and Central American countries en route to the U.S.-Mexico border.^8 This figure includes not only Indians but also large contingents from Venezuela, Haiti, Cuba, and various African and Asian nations. Media outlets such as CNN and Al Jazeera have frequently reported on mass migrant caravans or groups navigating through regions like the Darien Gap, while local newspapers in Colombia and Panama highlight how these numbers have swelled year by year.
9.2 Apprehensions
During this same 10-year window, data compiled from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Mexican migration authorities, and multiple NGO field reports indicate that approximately 500,000 individuals were apprehended while attempting to cross or shortly after crossing the U.S.-Mexico border without proper documentation.^9 A significant number of these apprehensions took place in border states such as Texas, Arizona, and California, where heightened surveillance technologies—like drones and motion sensors—have made clandestine entry increasingly challenging.
9.3 Fatalities
Tragically, the journey’s perils have also led to a high death toll. Reports from the IOM’s Missing Migrants Project, coupled with investigations by newspapers like The New York Times and El Universal (Mexico), estimate that over 55,000 migrants from all nationalities have died or gone missing along these routes in the last decade. 10 Many of these fatalities occur in the Darien Gap, where extreme weather, tropical diseases, and violent gangs pose lethal threats. Others have been recorded in the deserts of northern Mexico and in the waters of the Rio Grande. Local TV channels in Central America have shown harrowing footage of migrant groups stranded without food, water, or medical assistance, underlining the real-time dangers they face.
9.4 Balancing the Odds: A Critical Examination
While the sheer scale of apprehensions and fatalities is sobering, a substantial portion of migrants—potentially in the hundreds of thousands—have successfully made it to the U.S. interior, thereby fuelling the perception that the Donkey Route “works.” This success narrative, often amplified by social media testimonies and word-of-mouth endorsements in home communities, drives more individuals to take the risk. Families in places like Punjab or Gujarat see tangible examples of neighbors who made it across and are now sending back remittances, which normalises the idea of undertaking such a perilous trek.
9.5 Notion of Success
Critics, however, argue that any calculation of “success” is incomplete without factoring in the human cost—the lives lost, the trauma endured, and the financial devastation carried by those who fail. Although the route can boast of “survivors” who eventually find work in the U.S., it simultaneously leaves a trail of profound suffering for thousands who are either detained or never heard from again. As per UNHCR and IOM experts, dismantling the smuggling networks and offering safer, more regulated pathways to migration would be essential steps in reducing both the flow and the fatalities.
9.6 Popularity or Compulsion
The Donkey Route’s continued popularity arises from a potent mix of desperation, aspiration, and well-organized smuggling operations. While official crackdowns at certain borders have resulted in more apprehensions, these have not been enough to deter those who feel they have no better option. The data paints a complex picture: a route that is simultaneously lethal and, for a fraction of migrants, alarmingly effective. Understanding this paradox is key to formulating any policy or intervention aimed at preventing further loss of life and exploitation in the migration process.
10. Dangers and Challenges Along the Donkey Route
The Donkey Route is rife with life-threatening hazards:
- Physical Risks: River crossings, harsh jungle treks, and desert traverses result in serious injuries or fatalities every year.
- Criminal Exploitation: Migrants are vulnerable to robbery, extortion, sexual assault, or kidnappings by criminal groups.
- Financial Ruin: Families often mortgage land or take enormous loans to finance the journey, leaving them in deep dept if it fails.
- Legal Consequences: Even successful border crossings can lead to detention and deportation if asylum claims are denied or if migrants are found living undocumented in the US.
11. Costs and Financial Burden
The total cost of the Donkey Route can range from USD 20,000 to 60,000 (INR 15 to 45 lakhs) per person, shaped by:
- Number of Transit Countries: More border crosssings often require more bribes and higher logistical costs.
- Speed of Passage: Expedited services come at a premium, sometimes doubling fees.
- Document Forgery: Fake visas or passports add thousands of dollars to the final bill.
- Extended Delays: Each extra day in a safe house or forced bribe can inflate costs even further.
For families in rural Punjab, Haryana, or Gujarat, these sums are staggering, typically requiring the sale of farmland or gold jewellery, or the accrual of high-interest loans.
12. What’s the Outcome?
Although precise numbers are tough to ascertain due to the clandestine nature of the Donkey Route, the available data is alarming:
- US Border Patrol Encounters: Every Year about 10,000 Indian nationals are apprehended at the southern US border.
- Dominance of Punjab, Haryana, and Gujarat: Unofficial estimates suggest up to 70% of Indian migrants taking this route hail from these three states.
- Fatalities: NGOs operating in Panama’s Darien region have reported a rising number of migrant deaths, with Indians increasingly represented in these figures.
- Financial Outflows: Journalistic estimates indicate that hundreds of crores of rupees flow annually to smuggling networks, significantly affecting local economies.
13. In the End
The Donkey Route exemplifies the extremes to which individuals will go for a chance at a better life. For many Indians from Punjab, Haryana, and Gujarat, socio-economic pressures and limited legal migration channels combine to make this dangerous journey a seemingly viable alternative. A success rate that hovers around 40-50% is enough to sustain the demand for these perilous treks, fuelling the unscrupulous networks of agents and smugglers who profit handsomely. The heavy toll—financial, physical, and psychological—should not be underestimated, however. Families risk everything, including their life savings and even their lives, in pursuit of the American dream.
Tackling this issue requires multifaceted solutions that address the root causes: better job prospects in rural areas, direct awareness campaigns about the real perils of the Donkey Route, and close collaboration among governments to dismantle smuggling operations. More importantly, making people aware at every stage with a Government supported campaign, of the dangers and loot at the hand, in donkey route, combining with a very strict action against Agents who sell “Great American Dream” to the people taking advantage of this situation in the country. Until such interventions are firmly in place, the Donkey Route will likely remain a tempting, if often deadly, pathway for those with few other choices.
