Individuals illegally residing in the USA, including a significant number of Indians, are being deported. Over 300 people have been sent back, landing in Amritsar, Punjab on three different military flights. These cases have once again spotlighted the human traffickers and dubious travel agents who are deeply involved in illegal immigration.
Aaj Tak's Special Investigation Team has exposed the workings of this multi-million-dollar industry concentrated in immigration hubs like Jalandhar, where agents provide services from study visas to work permits and permanent residency, all for a steep price.
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How does illegal immigration work in Jalandhar?
Our team reached Krishna Enterprises in Jalandhar, posing as a Gujarati family seeking help to send children abroad, unveiling a notorious human trafficking network. Here we met Sahil Verma, a self-proclaimed immigration consultant, who upon closer inspection, turned out to be unregistered.
During our conversation, Sahil discussed many illegal immigration methods, including the infamous 'Dunki Route' used by his team to send people abroad illegally. He confidently assured us travelers can enter Europe via Serbia without a Schengen visa and then reach Italy using the 'Dunki Route' with taxis.
On asking about potential dangers, Sahil reassured, "The more you pay, the better the journey"—meaning the risk level varies with the amount paid. Despite American crackdowns on illegal immigration, Sahil claimed he could use similar strategies to send people to the USA.
Sahil explained, "If you ask me to send someone to the USA today, I'll fly them directly," outlining that payment would be in two parts—half on departure and the rest upon successful entry into the destination country. He also showed us a video of immigrants entering America via Mexico, asserting two of his clients had successfully entered this way.
The Political Asylum Scam
Our investigation found fraudulent schemes for political asylum marketed in Canada as an easy residency path. In Jalandhar, we visited another consultancy, The Visa Engineers, where agent Raman offered assistance in obtaining political asylum in Canada, typically required for individuals facing political persecution.
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Raman advised on what is needed for Canadian political asylum and how to proceed, suggesting entry via tourist visa followed by asylum application using rally photos as persecution evidence.
Raman assured, "We'll guide you on pre-travel steps," arranging photos and documents to legitimize the case. Canadian lawyers would apply for asylum based on supplied documents.
Agent Raman outlined an initial embassy fee of 1.85 lakh rupees, with full payment after visa issuance. Any missing documents would be managed for an extra fee. Raman admitted to several successful Canadian entries via this method.
Read more: From American Dream to Deportation... hundreds of illegal Indian immigrants returned home in a decade
A Growing Illegal Industry
Our findings reveal unauthorized agents and corrupt intermediaries exploit loopholes in the immigration system to illegally send desperate people abroad. Some risk perilous "Dunki Routes," while others abuse political asylum laws in the West. As immigration surges, such operations continue to thrive, raising urgent concerns about fraud, security risks, and policy abuses.
Immigration—a Booming Industry!
Illegal immigration is swiftly growing, with travel agents and consultants in cities like Jalandhar exploiting every loophole. From fake marriages to erased criminal records, these agents offer illegal immigration facilitation for exorbitant fees.
Case 1: Contract Marriages for Quick Visa
Aaj Tak's Special Investigation team revealed visa acquisition via contract marriages. At Friends Immigration Services in Jalandhar, posing as clients seeking to send a 32-year-old with a 10th-grade certificate to Britain, we met Consultant Karan who assured visa arrangements through fake marriage.
Watch the full video here:
Here's how it works:
To boost visa acceptance chances, an agency arranges contract marriages with educated girls, for which the client bears all related expenses.
This dramatic marriage gets photo albums and a video produced to support embassy submissions—appearing real.
In this scheme, dual travel is necessary, separating upon nation arrival to live independently.
Karan on the Procedure:
Reporter:
How is a study visa obtained?
Karan:
We'll arrange marriage and send him as a spouse to Britain. He'll travel with the spouse.
Reporter:
Where is the spouse?
Karan:
We'll find a girl and the marriage will happen.
Arrangements occur in Jalandhar's Indraprastha near Football Chowk, known for these activities.
Karan:
On reaching Britain, the male will work for two years and the girl will study. He bears her costs. Post-study, she'll get a work permit, allowing separation.
Case 2: Sidestepping Criminal Records for Immigration
We also explored Ved Zenith Institute in Jalandhar, claiming Punjab Government licensing yet actively assisting serious criminal record holders. We posed as clients wishing to send someone charged with attempt to murder under Section 307 abroad.
Main Findings:
No Checks Required:
Head Counselor Sunaina assured no Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) needed for visitor visas.
Easy Immigration via Tourist Visa:
She suggested sending him on a visitor visa, convert to work without background checks.
Preferred Destination:
Agency arranges group travel to Spain, securing jobs in food processing on arrival.
Sunaina Explains and Explains:
Reporter:
Madam, he’s under Section 307 (attempt to murder) charge.
Sunaina:
Show us nothing. We need no records. A tourist visa obscures that.
Reporter:
Need his FIR copy submission?
Sunaina:
No! For visit-to-employment, no police involvement. No PCC needed.
Price to Avoid Legal Scrutiny?
For just 1.5 lakh rupees, the agency promised seamless permanent settlement in Spain, bypassing legal scrutiny entirely.
One FIR, Warning to Illegal Agents
As many illegal immigrants return to India, questions arise on unlicensed agents aiding their US journey. Despite mass deportations, only a single FIR was filed.
First FIR: Deported Person Accuses Agent of Fraud
The first and only FIR was lodged by Jaswinder Singh, deported from the USA, accusing agent Sukhwinder Singh alias Sukh Gill of defrauding him of 45 lakh rupees for a US visa, allegedly using the "Dunki Route," a notorious illegal immigration method.
Sukh Gill is said to be the state president of the Indian Farmers Union (Totewal) and runs an immigration consultancy—raising grave concerns about the involvement of influential people in illegal immigration networks.
Authorities Claim Actions Against Fake Agents
We discussed administrative actions on fake immigration services with Jalandhar's Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Major Dr. Amit Mahajan.
What Does Jalandhar's Administration Say?
Inspections conducted regularly. Last year, we arranged special investigations, and now teams have been created to check all travel agents. Police are actively raiding and taking complaints seriously."
On Oversight and Enforcement:
"Our office and police department are keeping a close watch on the issue, whether it's the 'Dunki Route' or any illegal means—undertaken by registered or fictitious agents—subject to stringent scrutiny."
On Travel Agent Licensing:
'There's no license for 'Dunki Route.' Travel agents must obtain proper licensing per category, with around 1,500 licenses currently existing."
Warning to Fake Agents:
"The warning is simple: do not engage in illegal activities. Severe provisioned punishments exist for such crimes, with serious consequences."
The Need for Strict Action:
While the administration claims active monitoring of illegal immigration networks, only logging one FIR raises enforcement effectiveness concerns. With hundreds returning deported, experts assert strict action, increased investigation, and regulatory oversight are needed to dismantle networks facilitating illegal immigration.
