Gujarati migrants return with millions in debt, ‘Donkey Route’ agents underground
Updated: Feb 6th, 2025
After their American dream was shattered, a group of 33 Gujaratis deported from the United States arrived in Ahmedabad in the early hours of Thursday from Amritsar.
The Gujarat government, in coordination with the police department, had made arrangements to escort them to their respective homes.
One-way ticket worth ₹60 lakh
Reports suggest that the cost of travelling illegally from Gujarat to the US via the infamous ‘Donkey Route’ has remained at ₹60 lakh for the past five years.
All the data of these deported individuals, who spent such a hefty amount, has been handed over to Indian security agencies by US security agencies.
Currently, it is unclear whether the Indian government will take strict action against them. However, most of these individuals had taken loans to reach the US, crossing borders at great risk.
Since Trump took office and implemented strict policies against illegal migration, agents operating in areas such as Kadi-Kalol, Anand, and Bharuch in Gujarat have come under significant scrutiny.
Mehsana’s dollar dreams
In Mehsana district, the villages of Kherva, Jorarnang, and Meu are commonly known as ‘dolariyo vistar’ (dollar region) due to the large number of people from these villages who have settled abroad over the years. Following the recent crackdown by US authorities, the deportation of illegal immigrants has brought this region into the spotlight.
Reports indicate that 104 individuals were apprehended from New Jersey, New York, California, Texas, and Illinois. Certain villages in Kadi-Kalol are known to send family members to America illegally every year.
In some families, arrangements were made in early adolescence, with relatives in the US sending money to help them settle illegally.
A total of 32 people from various villages in north Gujarat’s Mehsana, Gandhinagar, Patan, and Banaskantha districts have been deported. These villages include Jornang, Vasai, Dabhala, Chandranagar, Kherva, Meu, Khanusa, Dabhada, Valam, Deesa, Siddhpur, Boru, Vadasma, Mansa, Manund, Indrapura, and several others.
Among those caught illegally entering the US and subsequently deported, 9 are from Mehsana district, 14 from Gandhinagar, 4 from Patan, and 1 from Banaskantha. Authorities have released a list of these individuals.
Who are the deportees
Among the recently deported individuals, are a woman from Meu and a girl from Kherva, who had left for the US just seven months ago. Attempts were made to speak with their families and villagers, but they refused to comment.
Smit Patel, originally from Mansa in Gandhinagar but currently residing near Manjipura, Nadiad, was among those deported from the US. However, his family has chosen to remain silent on the matter. Moreover, Shivani Goswami (27) from Petlad, Anand, was also among those deported, but her family has reportedly moved out of Petlad.
Woman deported only after 25 days in US
Relatives of 27-year-old Khushbu Patel from Luna village of Padra taluka stated that they, too, learned about her deportation from the media. However, they are unaware of the reasons behind her deportation and will only find out once she returns.
Her relatives mentioned that Khushbu got married to a man from Ahmedabad eight months ago. She had recently travelled to the US and had only been there for 25 days before she was deported. They are unaware why she was deported, but are worried what will happen next. She had gone to the US for a bright future, but since she has returned, they will welcome her back.
Notably, Khushbu’s father, Jayanti Patel, is a farmer. As per reports, she studied up to the 12th grade and lived in the Atladara area of Vadodara for some time. Reports indicate that Khushbu, along with a woman from Ankleshwar, arrived in Ahmedabad from Amritsar on Thursday morning.
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