Many of the 50 youths from Haryana who were recently deported from the US are now trying to rebuild their lives at home. They are struggling with both the emotional pain and the financial loss of their failed dreams abroad. Their families are disappointed but thankful that their dear ones have returned safely after months of detention.
One of them is Rajan Pal, a matriculate from the Gadaria community in Sigoha village of Karnal. Rajan’s family had spent more than Rs 60 lakh to send him to the US through the “dunki” route. Rajan began his journey on December 2, 2024, travelling through Dubai, Colombia, Panama and Mexico over six months. But as soon as he reached the US, he was arrested and spent nearly 11 months in custody before being deported.
To arrange the money, his family sold a shop and a plot of land. Out of the total amount received, Rs 45 lakh was paid to travel agents. Rajan said he was part of a group of twelve people. After being held for about two weeks in a camp in Arizona, he was moved to Louisiana, where he was told about his deportation on October 20.
The family is thinking about taking action against the travel agents but wants to settle the matter peacefully first. Rajan’s brother, Vishal Pal, said, “The dunki route no longer offers any real benefit, and such a large investment could be better utilised within India.”
Another youth, Tushar Sharma, 23, from Karnal’s Bastli village, also returned recently. His father, Devender Singh, died 11 years ago, and Tushar’s mother, Komal, said she feels relieved to have her son back home safely. The family has small land holdings and spent Rs 45 lakh to send Tushar abroad in March 2023.
Tushar initially worked at a store before getting a job at a private firm. Even though he was arrested and detained three months ago, Komal said she holds no anger toward the travel agents. She shared that her son’s earnings had helped repay loans and improve their financial condition. “We are happy that my son is back. Some families have lost their loved ones abroad despite spending huge sums. We believe in ‘jaan bachi, lakhon paye’ (if life is saved, it’s worth lakhs.”
Tushar described his time in detention as very difficult, with only bread to eat. His mother said those months were full of worry for the family.
Investigating Officer Hans Raj said the deported youths were brought to Kurukshetra on Sunday night. After finishing the legal formalities, they were handed over to their parents. “So far, no family has filed a police complaint,” he said.
The stories show the painful reality faced by many families who put their life savings into sending their children abroad hoping for better future, only to face heartbreak and loss.
Haryana Assembly Speaker Harvinder Kalyan urged the youth to follow legal ways to migrate, saying, “If someone wishes to progress in life, it should be through lawful means. We must choose paths that don’t lead to trouble.”
Also Read: 3 Jind youths face deportation over ‘donkey route’
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