Death, deportation, torture, none of it is stopping young Indians from chasing the American dream illegally.
Last year, at least 54 men who had entered the US through the illegal ‘dunki’ route were deported and flown back to Delhi.
The dunki (or donkey) route is an illegal, multi-step immigration pathway used by migrants, often from India, to enter the US, Canada, or the UK.
Between January and September 2025, India’s foreign ministry recorded 2,417 deportations from the US alone.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi reportedly flagged the issue, cautioning that young, vulnerable Indians are being lured by big dreams and false promises.
And yet, the boats keep sailing, the agents keep collecting, and the young keep leaving.
Dhruv Patel, 22, reportedly nearly paid with his life for that dream.
A BBA graduate and insurance professional from Jhakharia village in Gujarat’s Anand district, Dhruv reportedly left home on January 30 after receiving a text asking him to be ready by 6 pm.
The plan seemed straightforward: Vadodara to New Delhi, then Istanbul via Azerbaijan on tourist visas, and finally a flight to Canada, from where they would be smuggled into the US.
He worked as an insurance agent for nearly two years before the American dream got the better of him. His father owns a small farm. He had relatives in the US.
He knew the risks. He had seen the success stories. He wanted to improve his family’s situation. He wanted a better life.
He was not travelling alone. Dipika Patel, 32, also from Anand, and a youth from Punjab were part of the group. The agents had been contacted through local references, which gave Dhruv confidence despite knowing the risks.
Dipika reportedly had her own reasons for taking the chance. Her US-based husband had allegedly deserted her two years ago. Her mother and brother barely get by. The family struggled to raise the money needed for her to travel.
Things unravelled the moment they landed in Azerbaijan. Local intermediaries allegedly took them to a remote house in Khazar district, confiscated their phones, and locked them up. Their families back home were told the group was on a flight, phones switched off. To make it convincing, pictures of Baku Airport were sent as proof.
Agent Mamta Gavit then reportedly told the families the group had reached Canada. The families paid her a first instalment of Rs 35 lakh.
Shortly after, a Haryana-based agent called Pawan called to say he had received nothing. The ransom calls began.
According to a report, abductor Baba Khan and Pawan called the families by turns. His parents made three cryptocurrency transfers totalling Rs 15 lakh to Pawan.
The abductors threatened to harvest Dhruv’s kidney and sell him to human traffickers. All of this played out on video calls, with the families watching.
The three were given little more than rice and dal. Dhruv says he lost all hope of being rescued.
Back in Gujarat, the families approached state minister Kamlesh Patel, who escalated the matter to BJP Anand MP Mitesh Patel. The MP contacted External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. The Indian Embassy in Baku was alerted. Officials established that the three had entered Azerbaijan but never left, and had never checked into the hotel booked for their layover.
An operation named ‘Mahisagar’ was launched. Using local intelligence, Azerbaijan police traced the three to Khazar district. On February 9, they were rescued. MP Patel received Dhruv and Dipika at Vadodara airport on their return. He urged youth to guard against agents promising illegal passage to other countries, and expressed gratitude to the MEA for facilitating their return.
By the time it was over, each family had spent around Rs 50 lakh, Rs 35 lakh to agents and Rs 15 lakh to the abductors. Four people were arrested in Azerbaijan. In India, the Anand district police arrested three agents: Mamta Jitesh Gavit, 49, Ketan Ramesh Soni, 54, and Daniel Baptist Monteiro, 49.
Dhruv has reportedly said he has learnt his lesson and would caution anyone against attempting illegal immigration. He has not entirely given up on leaving India, though. He says he will explore legal migration options to other countries.
The dunki route is behind him. The dream of settling abroad is not. The lesson was costly, but the ambition remains intact.
Also Read: US-Canada Border Security to Tighten; Threatening Illegal “Dunki Route” Used by Indians https://www.vibesofindia.com/us-canada-border-security-to-tighten-threatening-illegal-dunki-route-used-by-indians/
