Rs 60 lakh & a broken dream: Haryana families grapple with US deportations

To fund his migration, the family sold a shop and a plot, with Rs 45 lakh paid to travel agents alone.

Rajan recalled being part of a group of twelve. After spending nearly two weeks in a camp in Arizona, he was transferred to Louisiana, where he was informed of his deportation on October 20.

While the family is considering action against the agents, they hope to resolve the matter amicably before involving the police. Rajan’s brother Vishal Pal remarked: “The dunki route no longer offers any real benefit, and such a large investment could be better utilised within India.”

Among those who returned recently is Tushar Sharma, 23, from Karnal’s Bastli village. He lost his father, Devender Singh, 11 years ago. Tushar’s mother, Komal, expressed relief at her son’s safe return.

The family, with modest land holdings, spent Rs 45 lakh on Tushar’s journey, who reached the US in March, 2023. Initially, he worked in a store before securing a job at a private company. Despite his arrest and subsequent detention three months ago, Komal holds no grudge against the travel agents. She shared that his earnings helped repay loans and improve their financial situation. “We are happy that my son is back. Some families have lost their loved ones abroad despite spending huge sums. We believe in ‘jaan bachi, lakhon paye’ (if life is saved, it’s worth lakhs).” However, his time in the camp was harsh, with only bread provided, she told The Indian Express.

Another Karnal deportee, Savan Kumar (24) also endured a difficult journey. His father, Praveen Kumar, said Savan appeared physically weakened upon return, having been handcuffed and leg-cuffed during detention. The family had spent nearly Rs 60 lakh to send him abroad after he completed his 10+2 education. His journey took five months, and he was held in a camp for four months before being deported.

An Ambala deportee, Harjinder Singh (45), from Jagoli village said he spent Rs 35 lakh for migrating to the US. He said, “My feet are swollen. I was shackled for 25 hours (on the flight).”

“I stayed in Florida. My job there was good… I am very upset. My lakhs of rupees have now gone wasted,” he said.
Pipli SHO Satish Kumar said another deportee, Vikram Singh (30), a resident of Sector 3, Kurukshetra, requested some time before giving a statement. “He assured me that he would meet the police in a day or two after consulting his parents.”

Among the deportees, four youths — Sagar, Harsh, Abhishek and Surya Pratap — hailed from Yamunanagar district. The Superintendent of Police, Kamaldeep Goyal, said none of these youths have yet lodged any complaint.

Investigating Officer Hans Raj said the deported youths were brought to Kurukshetra on Sunday night and, after completing the necessary legal formalities, were handed over to their parents. “No family has filed any police complaint so far.”

As the stories reflect the harsh realities faced by many families who invested their life savings in the hope of a better future abroad, only to be met with heartbreak and uncertainty, Haryana Assembly Speaker Harvinder Kalyan says: “If someone wishes to progress in life, it should be through lawful means. We must choose paths that don’t lead to trouble.”