Shattered American Dreams: 33 Haryana Youth Return in Chains from US

In the dark of Saturday night, a US military aircraft landed at Amritsar airport. Among 117 Indians, 33 young men are from Haryana with wrists in handcuffs and their dreams in shambles. Each carried a story of sacrifice, desperation, and betrayal.

From Karnal 's Jundla village , the story of Anuj Kumar highlighjts the plight of many deportees. Anuj's family spent ₹45 lakh by selling property and taking loans for sending him to America for what agents promised would be a path to prosperity. Instead of this, their son returned in chains with shattered dreams. Anuj 's father Ashok Kumar stated that the US authorities treated his son and otheres like criminals, questioning the system.

District-wise Impact

The deportees from Haryana include 8 from Karnal (Assandh, Popda, Gharaunda), 8 from Kaithal (Kalayat, Cheeka, Guhla) and other districts. The deportee youth belong to different financial and sociol backgrounds. Haryana government has arranged transportation for returnees to come back to their homes from Amritsar airport.

The 'Donkey Route' Trap

The investigation reveals a systematic exploitation:

• Agents initially promise legal entry to the US
• Route typically involves dangerous border crossing through Mexico
• Payments demanded in installments, ranging from ₹40-50 lakh 
• Families forced to sell assets and take heavy loans
• Many caught at US border within days of crossing

Government Response

• Special Investigation Team formed to probe human trafficking
• 10 FIRs registered against travel agents
• Background checks conducted upon arrival
• Transportation arranged for returnees
• Calls for stronger action against fraudulent agents