A Desperate Journey to the US: A Tale of Betrayal, Hardship, and Uncertain Future

A Desperate Journey to the US

Jaswinder Singh, 21, from the village of Pandori Arian in Dharamkot of Moga district, began his unlawful quest to the US by selling 1.5 kila of his family’s land and mortgaging their two-room home. To gather Rs 44 lakh needed to send Jaswinder to the US, the family even sold their buffaloes and paid the amount to an agent.

Expulsion from the US

Just before midnight on Saturday, Jaswinder was part of the second group of Indian nationals expelled by the US. He was able to don his turban again only after arriving at Amritsar airport- almost 20 days after being held by US officials for crossing the US-Mexico border unlawfully on January 27.

Harsh Detention Conditions

Jaswinder stated, “Immediately after being detained on January 27 and brought to the detention centre, they instructed me to take off all my clothing, including my turban. We were permitted to wear just a T-shirt, bottoms, socks, and shoes. They took away our shoelaces as well. My fellow Sikh youths and I requested that they at least give back our turbans, but they declined. They asked, ‘Who will take responsibility if any of you commits suicide by hanging?’ During our entire stay at the detention centre, we were prohibited from wearing a turban. It was only upon arriving at Amritsar airport that I retrieved my luggage and covered my head with a parna (a cloth used by Sikh men for head covering).”

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Financial Struggles and Broken Promises

Jaswinder expressed his desire to travel to the US to assist his family since his father suffered from heart issues and was unable to work. “We currently have a debt of Rs 44 lakh and are uncertain about how we will pay it back.” He added, “We even took out a mortgage on our house.”

Jaswinder, who completed Class 10, left home in December of the previous year and initially arrived in Prague, Czech Republic, from Delhi before making his way to the US-Mexico border through Spain, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Mexico.

Betrayed by the Agent

“I arrived at the border on January 26, but due to heavy rain, my agent had me cross on January 27.” I was apprehended in a matter of minutes. My agent had also assured me that when I was arrested, he would secure my release from the detention centre, but he never kept this promise. I would like a refund. “The Punjab government needs to ensure he gives it back,” he stated.

Mental Torture in Detention and Deportation

Claiming “mental torture” in the detention facility and aboard the US military aircraft that transported them back to Amritsar, Jaswinder stated, “During the flight, our hands and feet were shackled. We entered the airplane on January 13, and for almost three days, we remained inside without having any idea of our destination. If someone stood up, even briefly, to stretch, the US officials present would scold us and instruct us to take a seat. We trembled in the chill, as we received only plastic coverings, which were inadequate against the freezing temperatures.”

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Uncertain Future

“Currently, I lack the funds to travel overseas again, whether to the US or any other destination.” “I’m requesting a refund from the agent,” stated Jaswinder, who has four siblings to care for.

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