'We Cooperated With the American Authorities, but...' Indian Deported From US Opens Up on Struggles Before and After

After a harrowing journey and an unsuccessful attempt to enter the United States, Sourav, a deported Indian migrant, has finally returned home, sharing his ordeal and the challenges he faced before and after deportation.

A Costly Dream That Ended in Detention

Sourav revealed that he left India on December 17 in pursuit of a better future, but his journey soon turned into a nightmare. He spent nearly ₹45 lakhs on the process, forcing his parents to sell their land and take loans from relatives.

He took a complex route to enter the US, first traveling to Malaysia for a week, then moving to Mumbai, where he stayed for 10 days. From there, he flew to Amsterdam, then to Panama, followed by Tapachula, and finally Mexico City. The last stretch of his journey, crossing the Mexico-US border, took 3-4 days.

However, just 2-3 hours after entering the US on January 27, he and others were caught by the police. “They took us to the police station and later to a detention camp, where we stayed for 15-18 days,” Sourav said.

Harsh Detention and Forced Deportation

According to Sourav, the conditions in the camp were harsh, and no one was willing to listen to their appeals. He said, “Two days ago, we were told that we were being shifted to another camp. But once we boarded the flight, we realized we were being sent back to India.”

Sourav also criticized the treatment they received, saying, “Our hands and legs were tied, and our mobile phones were confiscated, cutting off all contact with our families.”

Despite cooperating with US authorities, he claims their pleas were ignored, saying, “The US government did everything as per their rules, but no one heard us.”

A Plea for Help

Now back in Punjab, Sourav is appealing to the Indian government for help, as his family has been left in financial distress after losing their land and taking heavy loans for his journey.

His story sheds light on the desperate measures taken by many Indians in search of better opportunities abroad and the grim reality of deportation that awaits many who attempt such risky migrations.