Each year, hundreds of thousands of Indians legally enter the United States through various visa and immigration pathways.
Recently, this number has ranged from around 250,000 to 300,000 individuals annually. They enter through categories such as work visas (like H-1B), student visas (F-1), family-based green cards, and other non-immigrant and immigrant visas.
However, between October 1, 2023, and September 30, 2024, approximately 90,415 Indians were apprehended by U.S. Customs and Border Protection while attempting to enter the U.S. illegally through the Mexico and Canada borders. Shockingly, about 50% of these individuals reportedly came from Gujarat.
According to sources, roughly 10 Indians attempt to enter the U.S. illegally every hour, with around half of them being from Gujarat.
This trend of entering the U.S. through so-called “Dunki” methods—bypassing legal channels—poses serious risks, as it is fraught with dangers. Illiteracy, unrealistic beliefs in foreign "greener pastures," and exploitation by brokers charging exorbitant "consultancy fees" have contributed to this troubling situation.
To protect India’s global reputation and uphold its standing in U.S. records, it is crucial for the government to crack down on the brokers orchestrating these "Dunki" routes.
The Modi government, in particular, needs to implement strict punishments and raise awareness, especially in states like Gujarat and other parts of North India.