At least 50 young men from Haryana, aged between 25 and 30, have returned home in handcuffs after being deported from the United States. Their pursuit of the “American dream” took them through the infamous dunki route — a perilous, illegal path across continents that promises hope but often ends in heartbreak and jail cells.

In Shah Rukh Khan’s 2023 film Dunki, the term symbolises the dangerous journey many Indians take to reach countries like the US, UK, or Canada without proper visas. The story follows four friends from Punjab chasing a better life abroad through smugglers, only to face violence, betrayal, and despair. The film’s mix of humour and tragedy mirrors the real-life struggles of countless migrants who risk everything for foreign dreams on a daily basis.

From hope to heartbreak in Haryana

Naresh Kumar, one of 14 deported youths from Kaithal, said he sold his farmland and paid an agent Rs 57 lakh to reach the US through Panama’s dense jungles. “I sold my agricultural land and paid an agent Rs 57 lakh to go to the US via the Panama jungle route. After spending 14 months in jail, I was deported,” he told reporters.Naresh added that the agent extorted money at every stage. “He took Rs 42 lakh initially, then Rs 6 lakh in Guatemala, another Rs 6 lakh when I reached Mexico, and the rest was taken when we crossed the border. But instead of helping me reach the US safely, they got me arrested and put in jail,” he said, urging others to avoid the dunki route.Officials confirmed that 16 deportees were from Karnal, 14 from Kaithal, five from Kurukshetra, three from Jind, and others from Ambala and Panipat. “The youths were brought from the Delhi airport by CM squad personnel and handed over to their families at the police lines,” said DSP Sandeep Kumar of Karnal.Kaithal SP Upasana added, “All records are being checked thoroughly and one person was found to have a criminal background.”Jind SP Kuldeep Singh warned, “Travelling abroad through the ‘dunki’ route is a serious criminal offence and also tarnishes the image of our society. Such illegal journeys not only lead to financial loss but also pose a grave threat to life. In many cases, youths face physical abuse, fraud, and even death along the way.”

Trump-era crackdown

Under Donald Trump’s hard-line immigration policies, the dunki dream has turned darker than ever. Across Haryana, families who once hoped for a better life abroad now watch their sons return home in handcuffs, as authorities tighten their grip on illegal migration networks and agents who sell false promises.