Deported youths face social rejection, police scrutiny

For several Haryana youths deported from the US, the nightmare hasn’t ended with their return. Back home, they now face social stigma and police scrutiny in their villages.

Many of these deportees are avoiding mediapersons to escape public embarrassment. Families say some of them are unmarried and now worry this episode could ruin marriage prospects.

A relative of one of the three youths from a Jind village told ‘The Tribune’ that they were unwilling to speak to reporters. “He is unmarried and went to the US via the ‘donkey route’ by selling two acres of farmland. It took about Rs 40 lakh to reach the US. He went there to support his family as he is the only earning member. Now, after being deported and losing his land, it will be difficult to find a girl willing to marry him,” he said, requesting anonymity.

Police, meanwhile, have begun verifying the antecedents of those deported to check for any unlawful activity. In one instance, a youth from Taragarh village in Kaithal district was detained in connection with a pending cheque-bounce case.

As many as 54 Haryana youths have been deported from the US so far — including 16 from Karnal, 14 from Kaithal and three from Jind districts. The Jind Police said the deportees were received from the deportation team and handed over to their families.

Dinesh Kumar, sarpanch of Bhairon Khera village in Jind, confirmed that a youth from their village had returned home. “He is feeling relaxed now but suffered financial loss and physical and mental torture during his six-month ordeal,” the sarpanch said.

Jind SP Kuldeep Singh identified the three youths as Ajay, son of Rajesh, from Bhairon Khera; Laabjot Singh, son of Tehal Singh, from Nimnabad; and Naveen, son of Joginder, from Pillukhera. “They had gone to the US through illegal means using the ‘donkey route’. Going abroad this way is a serious offence and undermines social dignity,” he said.

“Such illegal travel not only leads to huge financial losses but also endangers lives. Many face physical torture, fraud or even death during the journey,” he cautioned, urging aspirants to verify travel agents thoroughly before applying for visas.