The Legend Airlines flight carrying 303 Indian passengers bound for Nicaragua has drawn attention to the escalating issue of illegal migration from India to the United States. The Airbus A340, which took off from Dubai on December 21, was forced to return to Mumbai on December 26, with 276 passengers amidst allegations of human trafficking. Investigations into the incident suggest a growing trend of Indians attempting to migrate illegally to the US via South and Central America.
While 25 passengers sought asylum in France, suspicions arose concerning the remaining passengers, with a significant majority hailing from the states of Gujarat and Punjab – key sources of Indian migrants attempting to settle abroad. The Gujarat police reported that 66 passengers were from Gujarat, primarily men aged between 20 and 35, engaged in farming, animal husbandry, or recent graduates seeking better opportunities.
Sanjay Kharat, a senior official with the Gujarat police, expressed skepticism about the passengers' claim of tourism, stating, "All people on board going to the same place with the same purpose of tourism – it is not digestible as such." The passengers allegedly paid agents amounts ranging from 4 million to 12.5 million rupees to facilitate their entry into the US.
The recent surge in illegal migration from India to the US follows a broader trend. US Customs and Border Protection data reveals a record-breaking 96,917 Indians arrested for attempting illegal entry from October 2022 to September 2023, indicating a 50% increase from the previous year. A significant portion of these arrests occurred at the US-Mexico border, with 41,770 individuals detained while crossing from the south.
The migration route involves arriving in Latin American countries, many of which offer visas on arrival for Indians, and then making the perilous journey to the US-Mexico border. Crossing the Darien Gap, a forested region between Colombia and Panama, poses significant risks, including a lack of food or drinking water, wild animals, and armed gangs.
Muzaffar Chishti, a senior fellow at the Migration Policy Institute, identifies several factors contributing to the surge in illegal migration. Visa-free regimes for Indians in certain Central and South American countries ease travel to transit nations closer to the US border. Additionally, the perception that the US, under President Joe Biden, is more welcoming to asylum seekers has played a role.
Chishti highlights the backlog in the US asylum system, where claims remain unheard for years, allowing claimants to work legally. This has become a magnet for those seeking better economic opportunities. Most Indian nationals have connections to a large Indian diaspora in the US, facilitating their entry into the labor market.
The Legend Airlines incident underscores concerns about smuggling rings exploiting vulnerabilities in visa systems and border security. The organized rings charge exorbitant fees for their services, putting migrants at risk of exploitation, abuse, and even death during their perilous journeys.
The rise in illegal arrivals at the US-Mexico border may also be driven by growing religious and political persecution in India against non-Hindus, easing pandemic-related travel restrictions, and extended US immigration backlogs.
In Gujarat, a skewed sex ratio has intensified the urgency for families with unmarried sons to encourage migration to the US, where a better socio-economic status, earned through higher incomes, can improve marriage prospects.
As authorities investigate the Legend Airlines incident, there is an acknowledgment of the complexities and challenges surrounding irregular migration. Addressing the root causes of poverty and unemployment in India, improving legal migration pathways, and offering safe alternatives are crucial elements of a comprehensive response to ensure the safety and well-being of those seeking a better life.
BOB Post
