Lured by the promise of a bright future abroad, Indian youth are falling prey to illegal means. This network of agents is not only breaking the law but also stealing the hopes of families and the future of the country.
The “Donkey Route” is an illegal migration route through which young Indians attempt to reach the United States or Europe without visas or valid documents. This route runs from India through Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, Greece, Italy, France, and then Mexico to the United States. Along the way, smugglers, agents, and criminal gangs extort money from travellers. Sometimes, people drown at sea or are caught crossing the border. Every year, hundreds of Indians die or disappear on this dangerous journey—leaving their families deeply in debt and grief.
In many parts of India, especially in states like Haryana, Punjab, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh, a new and dangerous trend is rapidly spreading—the dream of traveling abroad via the “donkey route.” The word “donkey” is derived from the English word donkey, meaning “to travel without permission or by illegal means.” It sounds like a movie story, but the reality is far more horrifying. This route has not only eroded the future of young people but has also posed a serious humanitarian and economic crisis for society and the administration.
In rural and semi-urban India, “going abroad” is no longer just an aspiration, but a symbol of success. Many young people risk everything in search of jobs, respect, and a better life. Agents show them rosy dreams—”I’ll be standing on American soil in just a few days,” “I’ll earn a salary in dollars,” “Life there is like heaven.”
But the truth is, these dreams often cost lives. Most young people embarking on the Donkey Route are not told that the journey can last for months, traversing deserts, seas, and dangerous jungles. Along the way, they face hunger, thirst, cold, and violence. Many people go missing on this journey, never to be heard from again.
The entire donkey route business operates through an organized network of fake travel agents, passport brokers, local leaders, and foreign gangs. According to one estimate, more than 5,000 young people in India attempt to travel abroad illegally each year, and agents charge them between 15 and 25 lakh rupees.
According to an Amar Ujala report, 3,053 fraudulent travel agents were arrested from 2019 to 2025. However, the actual number is likely much higher, as most victims don’t report due to fear or shame. Agents often target families struggling with unemployment and poverty, hoping their son will “settle abroad.” But the result is debt, ruin, and shattered dreams.
Starting in India, the route travels through Pakistan, Iran, Turkey, Greece, Italy, France, and finally Mexico to the United States. During this journey, people are often crammed into boats at sea, crossing deserts, or stranded in frozen forests. Several human rights organizations have reported that hundreds of Indians die or go missing on this journey every year.
In February 2023, two young men from Gujarat died near Turkey while trying to cross the border into Europe. Such incidents have become commonplace. This is not only a crime but also a blot on humanity.
The US and European countries have now intensified surveillance on illegal immigration. After 2022, the US has signed a data-sharing agreement with India to quickly identify people arriving through the Donkey Route. If caught, they are deported, often facing months in prison.
On the other hand, the European Union has also implemented stricter visa and entry regulations. This has resulted in agents resorting to more dangerous routes—such as sea routes or crossing jungles—which further increase the risk to life.
The donkey route is not only a crime but also a significant burden on the rural economy. A significant portion of the youth abandon farming and local employment, even selling their land in pursuit of foreign employment. A mindset has developed in villages that “those who haven’t gone abroad haven’t succeeded.”
The result of this trend is a shrinking rural labour force, families sinking into debt, and young people losing faith in legal employment systems. This situation weakens India’s demographic strength in the long run.
The Indian government has mandated registration and verification for travel agents. The Ministry of External Affairs has also launched an e-Migrate portal, which provides a list of legitimate agents. Despite this, due to lack of awareness and corrupt systems, fraudulent agents remain active.
Laws exist—the Immigration Act of 1983 and the Passport Act of 1967—but they aren’t effectively enforced. Agents in small towns openly advertise “immigration abroad,” and police only notice them when a major incident occurs.
The media has periodically tried to raise awareness about this issue. Newspapers like Amar Ujala have exposed how the “donkey-route” business has spread to hundreds of villages in Haryana, Punjab, and western Uttar Pradesh.
But along with this, the society will also have to introspect –
Why do young people feel that they cannot succeed while living in the country?
Why has going abroad become a symbol of prestige?
Why is that environment not being created in the villages which can provide opportunities to the youth here?
Campaigns should be launched at the village, college, and panchayat levels to highlight the dangers of illegal migration. The Ministry of External Affairs, the Labor Department, and the media should work together to ensure that no young person travels abroad without legal procedures.
Skill development, self-employment, and local industries should be encouraged for rural youth to reduce the attractiveness of going abroad. Simply arresting fraudulent agents is not enough; their financial networks must be disrupted. Provisions such as asset confiscation and lengthy sentences should be strictly enforced.
Society must understand that success doesn’t come simply by setting foot on foreign soil. Opportunities exist within the country—it just takes a shift in perspective. India should work with countries where these networks operate to stop cross-border human trafficking.
India has the world’s largest youth population. This demographic asset can be a boon if channelled properly. If these youth are pushed into illegal activities, it will be a huge loss to the nation.
Avoiding the “donkey route” requires not just law, but thought and discretion. We must understand that no dream can be so big as to surpass human dignity, security, and self-respect.
The Donkey Route isn’t just a crime story; it’s a saga of the frustration, unemployment, and confusion of India’s youth. Until society and the government work together to provide legal, safe, and respectable opportunities for young people, the business of such agents will continue to flourish.
It is time for bold action, true awareness, and a shift in mindset that believes “going abroad is success.”
Because the real developed India will be one where the youth can realise their dreams in their own country.
