Donkey routes: En route Europe, how Indians visit several countries to create ‘travel history’

Context: Last year, Serbia had to change its visa rules because of the illegal migrants, including Indians, flooding it as an entry point to Europe.
Background:

• Serbia modified its visa rules last year due to pressure from the European Union, prompted by the misuse of its visa-free regime. Indians, among others, were exploiting this route as an illegal transit to enter European countries like Austria, Hungary, and Romania.
• European authorities discovered over 1.3 lakh illegal immigrants in the first 10 months of 2022, with many being nationals from countries that previously had visa-free access through Serbia.
•  Indians seeking illegal entry often manipulated their travel history by visiting countries like Nepal, Dubai, and Armenia before entering Serbia. This was done to present a credible travel background to immigration authorities.
• The recent incident of a flight carrying 303 Indian nationals being halted in France, en route to Nicaragua, indicates a similar strategy. The passengers aimed to establish a travel history to appear as tourists, even though the visa requirements for Indians in Nicaragua are unclear.

Unpredictable and harsh journey

• Agents often connect migrants, seeking illegal entry, with 'donkers' or people smugglers upon arrival in transit countries to facilitate their illegal passage to the final destination.
• These 'donkers' charge exorbitant fees for their services, assisting migrants in evading border authorities and reaching their intended destinations.
• Migrants frequently endure harsh and inhuman conditions during transit, lacking basic necessities like food, water, and proper ventilation. They are often concealed in cramped containers or delivery vehicles.

• A 2009 UNODOC report on Smuggling of Migrants from India to Europe documented cases of migrants drowning in unsafe vessels, suffocating in overcrowded trucks and ships, and falling victim to smuggling gangs.
• A tragic incident in 1996 saw 283 migrants, mostly from Punjab, perish when their overcrowded boat capsized in the Mediterranean near Malta, highlighting the dangers of such illegal migration routes.
• Even those who successfully reach their destination often find themselves trapped in cycles of exploitation and abuse, with many cases going unreported due to the migrants' fear of arrest and deportation.

Risks and challenges:

1. Unconventional Migration Technique: Donkey flights involve the use of multiple, often indirect flight connections to enter a target country, usually one with stringent entry requirements.
2. Motivated by Desperation and Misinformation: Individuals resort to this practice driven by desperation and misinformation, exploiting weaknesses in immigration systems.
3. Risks to Individuals and Destination Countries: Donkey flights pose significant risks to individuals and raise concerns for destination countries due to their irregular nature.
4. International Trafficking Connections: Agents in India collaborate with traffickers, establishing a connection all the way to the US. Failure to make payments can be a life-threatening situation for migrants.
5. High Costs Involved: Donkey trips are expensive, with an average cost ranging from Rs 15 lakh to Rs 40 lakh. In some cases, costs escalate to as high as Rs 70 lakh.
6. Legal Consequences: Illegally entering a country exposes migrants to risks such as detention, deportation, and potential criminal charges.
7. Safety and Health Hazards: The lengthy and challenging journeys, unfamiliar environments, and the potential for exploitation contribute to physical and mental health risks for migrants.

Possible destinations:
Europe:

•  Between 2005 and 2007, nearly 47% of immigration-related offences at Delhi airport were linked to destination countries in Europe.
•  Approximately 27% of these cases were specifically associated with irregular migration to the United Kingdom.
• Most instances of illegal migration to the UK involved routes through France, either after landing with a direct visa or reaching France through irregular routes facilitated by 'donkeys'.
• Other preferred European destinations for irregular migration included Germany, Austria, Spain, Belgium, Italy, Greece, Norway, Switzerland, Sweden, Netherlands, Portugal, Finland, Poland, and Czech Republic.
• Bosnia, Portugal, Poland, Czech Republic, and Hungary were identified as likely transit countries for onward travel, chosen due to easier visa processes.

America:

• The popular donkey route from India to the US involves the initial step of reaching a Latin American country.
• Countries like Ecuador, Bolivia, and Guyana offer visas on arrival for Indian citizens, facilitating the early stages of the journey
• Brazil and Venezuela are among the countries that readily grant tourist visas to Indians, making them accessible stops in the migration route.
• A contemporary trend is observed where migrants first travel to Europe before heading directly to Mexico
• The strategy involves utilizing Latin American countries as a transit point to eventually reach the United States, reflecting the evolving dynamics of migration routes.

Estimation of migration of Indians

• A considerable number of Indians are reportedly stranded in Spain after entering the country illegally, seeking general amnesty.
• Indian detainees are also reported in various countries, including Ukraine, Turkey, Slovakia, Malaysia, Romania, and Poland, with intentions to reach Western European countries.
• Indian Missions and Posts lack reliable data on the number of Indians staying or working illegally in foreign countries due to the lack of information-sharing by host nations.
• Irregular migration is not limited to Punjab, with reports indicating significant numbers from Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir.

Donkey flight

The term "donkey flight" originates from the Punjabi language, where it signifies the practice of moving from one place to another. This illicit method of immigration has become synonymous with the exploitation of vulnerable individuals who, enticed by the prospect of international travel, become victims of deceitful promises made by unscrupulous agencies. Numerous desperate families invest money with the expectation of obtaining promised visas.

Global impacts:

1. Challenges for Destination Countries: The use of donkey flights can place significant pressure on immigration systems and give rise to security issues
2. Ethical Considerations: Exploiting loopholes in immigration processes raises ethical questions about fairness and the treatment of vulnerable individuals
3. Risk of Human Trafficking: Criminal networks might take advantage of desperation, potentially trapping individuals in exploitative situations

Way forward:

Addressing and tackling this problem requires the generation of additional employment opportunities within home countries. Initiatives should be implemented to offer facilities that contribute to an improved quality of life and livelihood. Stringent measures must be enforced against intermediaries involved in orchestrating these donkey route operations.