Deportation of Haryana youth from US exposes growing immigration fraud
The recent deportation of 33 youth from Haryana by the US has once again brought to light the rising menace of immigration fraud, which continues to thrive in the state. Fraudulent agents lure aspiring migrants with false promises of jobs and a better future abroad, only to leave them stranded, facing legal trouble, or ultimately deported.
Verify visa agents
"We remain vigilant in registering and investigating cases to curb fraudulent immigration rackets. Youth and their families must verify visa agents and only consult licensed immigration firms. Strict action will be taken against those engaged in illegal activities." –Ganga Ram Punia, Karnal SP
In response, the Karnal and Kurukshetra police have registered five FIRs against eight individuals accused of cheating people under the pretext of securing safe migration and employment in the US. Meanwhile, the families of these deported youth are left financially and emotionally devastated, many having spent lakhs on visa applications and travel expenses, only to see their children return with shattered dreams.
From January 1, 2024, to January 31, 2025, the Karnal police registered 159 cases of immigration fraud, solving 150 of them and arresting 90 individuals involved in fraudulent practices. Similarly, in Kaithal district, 78 cases were registered, leading to the arrest of 46 accused.
The issue is not new. In 2020, following the deportation of 73 Haryana youth from the US, the state government had constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe immigration fraud cases. The SIT’s investigation resulted in multiple arrests, yet the problem persists.
The spike in fraud cases and recent deportations have unsettled the immigration industry, raising concerns among aspiring students and visa consultants.
An immigration consultant from Karnal, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said: "There are strict norms for visa approval in many countries like the US, Canada, New Zealand and Australia. Due to these restrictions, many youth opt for the ‘donkey’ route to settle abroad. However, after the recent deportations, those considering this route are now hesitant."
He added that tightened visa policies and increased scrutiny have made students more apprehensive about their applications.
Another immigration agent had a different perspective, stating, "The US crackdown on illegal migrants could encourage more people to rely on legal immigration processes, which may also prove to be more cost-effective. There are legal provisions to enter any country, but they come with specific conditions."
Karnal Superintendent of Police (SP) Ganga Ram Punia stressed that the police are actively cracking down on immigration fraudsters.
"We remain vigilant in registering and investigating cases to curb fraudulent immigration rackets. Youth and their families must verify visa agents and only consult licensed immigration firms. Strict action will be taken against those engaged in illegal activities," he said.
With the growing risks of deportation and fraud, authorities are urging young aspirants to choose legal migration channels and avoid falling prey to fraudulent agents.
