Illegal migrants from Hry face uncertain future, kin worried

SITUATION REFLECTS LARGER ISSUE OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION NETWORKS IN INDIA AND THE FINANCIAL BURDEN ON FAMILIES

- Sunil Rahar/ Bhavey Nagpal

ROHTAK/KARNAL: US President Donald Trump's announcement of a crackdown on undocumented immigrants have caused anxiety among parents in Haryana, who paid ₹40-50 lakh to send their children to the US via "donkey route".

Reports indicate that the Trump administration has officially raised the issue with the Indian government regarding the deportation of approximately 18,000 Indian nationals.

Shamsher Singh (name changed), a resident of a village in Rohtak, shared his concerns about his younger brother, who travelled to the US through illegal means in September last year after paying ₹46 lakh to an agent based in Kurukshetra.

"When my brother scaled the giant fence after staying in other countries, our dream of sending him to the US was fulfilled. He surrendered to US Customs and Border Protection officials and applied for political asylum. He has also filed a case in court, but we are worried about his future after the newly sworn-in president announced a deportation plan," he said.