Many students dream of studying or working in the USA. But some choose an illegal and dangerous way—the ‘Dunki’ route. This risky journey involves smugglers, harsh jungles, and legal troubles. It can ruin your future instead of securing it.
What is the ‘Dunki’ Route?
The ‘Dunki’ route (also called ‘Donkey Flight’) is an illegal way to enter the USA. Since getting a US visa is difficult, people first travel to South America and then try to cross into the USA through Mexico.
How Do People Take This Route?
1: Flying to South America
- Migrants get tourist visas for Ecuador, Bolivia, or Brazil.
- They pay agents ₹40 lakh to ₹1.25 crore, believing false promises of easy entry to the USA.
2: Crossing the Deadly Darién Jungle
- From Ecuador or Brazil, they travel to Colombia by bus or boat.
- To reach Panama, they must cross the Darién Gap, a dangerous jungle with:
- Wild animals like snakes and jaguars.
- Harsh weather with heavy rain and deep rivers.
- Criminal gangs who kidnap, rob, or even kill migrants.
Step 3: Moving Through Central America
- After Panama, they travel through Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, and Guatemala.
- Local police arrest or deport many migrants.
- They walk for weeks in extreme heat, without proper food or water.
Step 4: Entering Mexico & Trying to Cross the US Border
- Migrants hide in trucks, walk through deserts, or try to swim across rivers.
- US border patrol catches most of them and sends them back.
- Some die from dehydration, hunger, or wild animals.
How Long Does It Take?
The journey takes 20 to 45 days, depending on:
- The money paid to smugglers.
- Weather and border security.
How Many Indians Take This Risk?
- 2021: 30,662 Indians were caught at the US border.
- 2023: The number jumped to 96,917!
- 2024: 104 Indians were deported in a single flight as part of a US crackdown.
- Fact: Most migrants never reach the USA. Instead, they get arrested, deported, or even die.
Why This Route is Extremely Dangerous
Life-Threatening Risks:
- Jungle Deaths: People die in the Darién Gap from starvation or drowning.
- Kidnapping & Attacks: Criminals extort money and abuse migrants.
- Fake Agents: Many smugglers take money and leave people stranded.
- Extreme Weather: Migrants suffer from heatstroke in the day and freezing temperatures at night.
Legal Problems:
- If caught, you will be sent back to India.
- You could be banned from entering the USA legally forever.
Safe & Legal Ways to Go to the USA
Instead of risking your life, try these options:
- Student Visa (F-1 Visa): Apply to a real university and get a legal student visa.
- Work Visa (H-1B, L-1): Get a job in the USA and apply for a work permit.
- Canada PR Pathway: Canada has easier PR options, and later, you can apply for a US visa.
What Can Be Done to Stop This?
- Spread Awareness: Educate people about the dangers of illegal migration.
- Improve Legal Visas: Make it easier for students and workers to get visas.
- Punish Human Traffickers: Take strict action against those who mislead and exploit migrants.
Interesting Read
Final Thought: Is This Shortcut Worth It?
NO! The ‘Dunki’ route is not a way to success—it is a path to danger. The risks are high, and the chances of success are low.
If you want to study or work in the USA, choose legal ways, work hard, and stay safe.
Would you risk everything for an illegal shortcut? Think twice before making a life-changing mistake!
