Exposing the Human Smuggling Industry in India,With planeloads of deported Indian nationals arriving at Punjab’s Amritsar airport, attention has once again turned to the murky world of human smugglers and dubious travel agents who facilitate illegal immigration. This alarming trend highlights the urgent need for awareness and action against the thriving human smuggling industry in India.
The Dark Underbelly of Human Smuggling
India Today’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) has uncovered the workings of this multi-million-dollar industry, centered in immigration hubs like Jalandhar. Here, agents offer a range of services—everything from study visas to work permits and permanent residency applications—all for exorbitant fees. This investigation sheds light on how these illegal operations exploit vulnerable individuals seeking better lives abroad.
Inside the Human Smuggling Business
In Jalandhar, our investigation led us to Krishna Enterprises, where we posed as parents from Gujarat looking for help to send our children abroad. We interacted with Sahil Verma, a self-proclaimed immigration consultant who later turned out to be unregistered. During our conversation, Sahil detailed various illegal immigration methods, including the infamous “donkey route”—a dangerous and illicit passage often used to transport migrants to Western countries.
“Moving from Serbia to Italy is very easy,” Sahil confidently stated, explaining that instead of obtaining a Schengen visa, travelers could enter Europe via Serbia and reach Italy through the ‘Donkey route’ in a taxi. When asked about the dangers involved, he reassured us, saying, “The more money you spend, the better the journey,” suggesting that risk levels vary based on payment.
Despite increasing crackdowns on illegal immigration, Sahil claimed he could still send people to America using similar tactics. “If today you ask me to send someone to the USA, I will send them by air,” he said, revealing that payments would be made in two installments—half upon departure and the rest after successful entry into the country.
The Political Asylum Scam
Our investigation also uncovered fraudulent political asylum schemes marketed as an easy pathway to Canadian residency. At The Visa Engineers, a consultancy in Jalandhar, we met an agent named Raman. He openly offered assistance in obtaining political asylum in Canada—a process intended for those facing genuine persecution.
According to Raman, the process involved entering Canada on a tourist visa, applying for asylum before the visa expires, and using staged photos from political rallies as evidence of persecution. He assured us, “We will guide you on what to do before you travel,” indicating a well-structured operation aimed at exploiting the immigration system.
A Growing Illegal Industry
This investigation exposes the lucrative business surrounding fake political asylum applications, as well as various other illegal immigration rackets. As these operations thrive, concerns about fraud, safety risks, and the misuse of immigration policies escalate.
For more insights on this critical issue, visit The Hans Bharat.
The illegal immigration landscape is continually evolving, and it is essential to stay informed. To learn more about the broader context of this issue, you can read about Illegal immigration.
In conclusion, exposing the human smuggling industry in India reveals a complex web of deceit and exploitation, impacting countless individuals yearning for a better life. Awareness and stringent action are vital to dismantling these operations and safeguarding the rights of genuine migrants.
