(Note: All characters in this story are fictional. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.)
Mallewal, a small village near Firozpur, Punjab, was known for its sons and brothers who had left for America or Canada to earn a living. The families whose sons sent dollars back home were held in high regard. Every parent in the village dreamed of their son going abroad, earning money, and fulfilling their aspirations.
Harnam Singh, a humble farmer, and his wife, Surjeet Kaur, were no different. Their son, Jaspreet (Jassi), was not very bright in academics, but he, too, was eager to go to America and make money. His school friends, who had left for the U.S. two years ago, would send pictures—posing with expensive cars, standing before towering buildings, and flaunting bundles of dollars. Seeing these, Harnam Singh and Surjeet Kaur wished for their son to live the same luxurious life.
A local agent, Babbu Majithia, assured them that he could get Jassi to America—not through a legal visa but via the “Dunki Route.” Harnam Singh hesitated, but when he saw many village boys successfully reaching America through the same means, he gathered courage.
To arrange for the journey, they mortgaged a small piece of land, took loans from relatives, and collected ₹35 lakh. Jassi’s mother even sold her gold bangles. They bid farewell to Jassi with teary eyes but hopeful hearts, believing he would send dollars back, repay their debt, rebuild their old house, and secure his sister Harpreet’s (Preeto’s) marriage.
Jassi’s journey, however, was anything but easy. He first flew to Dubai, then traveled through Brazil, Peru, and Colombia, finally reaching Panama. From there, he had to cross dense forests and mountains to get to Mexico. Every step of the way, agents demanded more money, and he had to survive in terrible conditions—often without food. Many agents deceived travelers, leaving some stranded midway. But Jassi somehow managed to reach Mexico.
Crossing the Mexico-U.S. border was the toughest challenge. The scorching desert heat, immigration raids, and the constant threat to life made it a nightmare. One night, Jassi hid in the back of an old truck and successfully crossed into America. Eventually, he reached New York, where some of his village friends were already settled.
Upon arrival, reality hit hard—life in America was starkly different from the glamorous Instagram photos. With no legal documents or a place to stay, he took up a job washing dishes in a restaurant. He worked tirelessly day and night, barely saving anything for himself. Yet, he ensured that he sent some money home every month.
He was often pressured into illegal activities—he had to lie to get fake papers and even use fraudulent credit cards. He disliked it, but he had no choice.
In three years, Jassi managed to pay off half of his parents’ debt, and his sister Preeto’s engagement was arranged. His family believed his future was now secure. But then, things took a tragic turn.
The U.S. Immigration Department intensified its crackdown on illegal immigrants. One night, the police raided his place and arrested him. He pleaded and struggled, but without a hearing, he was deported. Handcuffed, he was put on a plane, leaving behind all his belongings and whatever money he had earned. At that moment, he realized that everything he had worked for was now lost.
Back in his village, people initially sympathized with him, but soon, whispers and taunts followed—
“Jassi, weren’t you supposed to make it big in America? Why are you back?”
“Must have committed a crime there; otherwise, who gets deported?”
His parents were still burdened with debt, and to make matters worse, his sister’s engagement was called off. Jassi couldn’t bear to see his parents suffer. Their dreams for him were shattered. Now, he was considering opening a small grocery store in the village. Sometimes, he would recall those difficult days in America when he longed for home. But now, he found himself longing for the life he had lost in America.
Jassi’s story is not just his own; it is the story of thousands of Indian youth who dream of reaching America through the Dunki Route. But the reality is harsh—this path only leads to deception, suffering, and humiliation. Jassi learned that hard work can be done in one’s own country as well. Going abroad is not wrong, but doing so illegally is nothing short of inviting disaster.
(Rajeev Khare, Bureau Chief, Chhattisgarh)
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