Thu Feb 27 20:07:52 UTC 2025: ## Hundreds of Punjabis Deported from US, Fueling Despair and Frustration
**Amritsar, Punjab, India –** The “American Dream” has turned into a nightmare for hundreds of Punjabis who, after attempting illegal entry into the United States, have been deported back to their home state. The plight of these individuals highlights the desperation driving migration from rural Punjab, where limited opportunities and the pervasive fear of drug addiction push young people to seek fortunes abroad, often through dangerous and exploitative means.
A recent report reveals that since 2009, the U.S. has deported 15,756 illegal Indian immigrants, with several recent flights bringing back deportees to Amritsar. Among them is Vishal Sharma, 38, who spent a significant amount of money on multiple failed attempts to reach the US, only to be returned and left with the crushing reality of a life back in his village, farming alongside his brother. Sharma’s story mirrors that of many others, illustrating the emotional and financial toll of these failed ventures.
The article features several accounts of those who have been deported or whose family members are detained in the US. Gursharan Singh, 22, deported in 2023, bitterly compares his meager income from farming to his brother’s earnings in Spain (€90,000/month). Balwinder Singh, 55, recently received a frantic call informing him that his brother, Sukhdev Singh, 35, was being held in a Texas detention camp after a failed attempt at illegal entry. Sukhdev had invested heavily in the venture, selling family land to fund his trip. Sarwan Singh, 26, worries about his brother who is also attempting illegal entry into the US, highlighting the widespread nature of this phenomenon.
The desperation is fueled by the lack of opportunities in rural Punjab. Many young people see no future in farming, with low crop prices and high land rents creating a cycle of poverty. The lure of high wages in the US, even through illegal means, is too strong to resist for many. Parents often encourage their children to leave, fearing that they will fall prey to the state’s widespread drug problem. The prevalence of unregistered agents offering various routes, some incredibly dangerous, further compounds the issue.
The situation underscores the complex interplay of economic hardship, social pressures, and the allure of the American dream, prompting a critical examination of the underlying issues driving this mass migration and highlighting the human cost of pursuing it through illegal channels.
First Piper 