Jalandhar, Feb 15: The North American Punjabi Association has raised significant alarms regarding human trafficking, urging the government to take urgent measures to prevent young individuals from embarking on illegal and perilous journeys to reach foreign countries.
This statement follows reports from several Indians deported from the US last week who claimed they were led to the US borders via perilous ‘dunki’ routes by dishonest travel agents, often without their knowledge and for exorbitant fees.
Satnam Singh Chahal, the Executive Director of the North American Punjabi Association (NAPA), stated on Saturday that the government has not instituted effective strategies to tackle illegal migration, despite numerous warnings and tragic events.
“Immediate actions are necessary to enhance enforcement, boost public awareness, and collaborate closely with international bodies to address this crisis,” Chahal emphasized.
NAPA has called upon the Punjab government to defend the welfare of young Punjabis and to take stringent actions against those facilitating illegal emigration.
Interestingly, a flight carrying 119 illegal immigrants from the US is scheduled to arrive at Amritsar airport on Saturday. This is the second group of Indians being deported as part of the Donald Trump administration’s anticipated crackdown on illegal immigration.
Among the deportees, 67 are from Punjab, 33 from Haryana, eight from Gujarat, three from Uttar Pradesh, two each from Goa, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan, and one each from Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.
On February 5, a US military aircraft brought back 104 illegal Indian immigrants to Amritsar airport, with 33 each hailing from Haryana and Gujarat, and 30 from Punjab. (PTI)
