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Ratinder Singh to News18: “We entered the US illegally via Mexico. The minute we reached Mexico, the border patrol team caught us and sent us in detention for 19 days.”
Ratinder Singh was among those deported by the US. (News18/PTI)
Ratinder Singh, a cloth trader hailing from Jalandhar who has now been deported from the US, in an exclusive chat with CNN-News18, urged Indians to stop trusting agents and instead utilise the opportunities available in India.
A US military aircraft carrying 104 Indian immigrants landed in Amritsar on Wednesday, marking the first batch deported under US President Donald Trump’s crackdown on illegal immigration.
Of these illegal immigrants, 33 each were from Haryana and Gujarat, 30 from Punjab, three each from Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, and two from Chandigarh. A flight with 33 Gujarati immigrants, including women and children, reached Ahmedabad from Amritsar on Thursday.
ENTRY VIA MEXICO
Many of them had traversed treacherous ‘dunki’ routes, crossing several rivers and forests of South American nations while facing extortion and getting roughed up, to illegally enter the US.
Becoming popular in common parlance following the release of Shah Rukh Khan’s ‘Dunki’ in 2023, it refers to illegal immigration that involves crossing borders through covert stops in multiple countries, mostly facilitated by agents.
Elaborating on how he reached the US, Singh said, “We entered the US illegally via Mexico. The minute we reached Mexico, the border patrol team caught us and sent us in detention for 19 days.”
When asked if he wanted asylum, Singh refused. “We love our country, we would never seek asylum. However, we did commit a mistake by entering America through illegal routes.”
Singh regrets his decision. “I lost Rs 45 lakh in the process. I sold my business for the move. I had borrowed more than half the amount from my family friends. I have no idea how I will repay them or even how I will make a living now. I am penniless now.”
He also had a word of caution for youngsters aspiring to go abroad like him. “Our government is doing a good job. The Modi government is providing ample opportunities. I would advise everyone to stay here. Trust our country. Don’t trust these so-called agents. We just need the right direction.”
When asked what next, Singh said, “We hope the government helps us fix the mistake and resettle. I have no money to invest in a business or even a job to eke out a living. I request the government to help people like me.”
With PTI Inputs
