US Deports 54 Haryana Men Entering via Illegal Donkey Route

The Federal government of the United States deported 54 men from the Indian state of Haryana who had illegally entered the U.S. via the donkey route, a perilous immigration path often involving transit through Panama, Guatemala, and Mexico. The deportees, primarily aged 25 to 40, arrived at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport on flight OAE-4767 on October 26, 2025. Many reported being shackled or handcuffed during the flight after spending periods ranging from two weeks to 14 months in U.S. detention centers.

Following their arrival, the Chief Minister’s Flying Squad and local police transported the men to districts including Karnal, Kaithal, Ambala, and Kurukshetra. Among those deported was Lakhwinder Singh, an associate of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, who was immediately arrested by the Haryana Special Task Force for extortion and firing incidents. Other deportees were identified as having criminal records involving electricity theft and violations of the Arms and Excise Acts.

Families revealed that the men paid travel agents between 29 lakh and 60 lakh rupees, often selling ancestral land and homes to fund the journey. Despite these losses, police in Karnal and Yamunanagar noted that no formal complaints have been filed against the agents. The operation is part of a broader crackdown on illegal immigration initiated by the administration of Donald Trump since January 2025.