# Donkey flight > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Donkey_flight > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Donkey_flight.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donkey_flight > Source revision: 1341307031 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|Technique for an illegal border crossing}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}} '''Donkey flight''' ("dunki" in [Punjabi](/source/Punjabi_language)) is an [illegal immigration](/source/illegal_immigration) technique used for [unauthorized entry](/source/unauthorised_arrival) into countries such as the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and Australia.{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Nicola |date=1 February 2014 |title="Donkey flights"|url=https://www.migrationpolicy.org/sites/default/files/publications/BadActors-DonkeyFlights-FINALWEB.pdf}} == Background == The term originates from a Punjabi idiom ''dunki'' meaning "to hop from place to place," where unscrupulous "travel agencies" exploit individuals' aspirations for foreign travel, promising visas in exchange for hefty payments.{{Cite news |last=Vasudeva |first=Vikas |date=2023-06-16 |title=Punjab's illegal immigration back in spotlight after Canada's recent deportation threat |language=en-IN |work=The Hindu |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/other-states/focus-on-illegal-immigration-from-punjab-after-canadas-recent-deportation-threat/article66976103.ece |access-date=2023-11-22 |issn=0971-751X}}{{Cite web |date=2023-08-07 |title=On migrant trail, the 'donkey route' that Indians use to illegally enter US |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/delhi-news/indian-farmers-desperate-journey-the-donkey-route-to-illegal-immigration-in-the-us-101691347881490.html |access-date=2023-11-22 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}} Many young people divert substantial funds to pay for these journeys. These families become victims of deception as they pay for promised visas.{{Cite news |last=Bhargava |first=Kshitij |date=2020-08-29 |title=The curious case of donkey and donkers: On the great Indian (illegal) immigration trail |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/nri/visa-and-immigration/the-curious-case-of-donkey-and-donkers-on-the-great-indian-illegal-immigration-trail/articleshow/77818363.cms |access-date=2023-11-22 |issn=0013-0389}} == Operation == The approach is used for immigration to many countries.{{Cite web |date=2014-03-24 |title=The 'donkey route' to Britain: Hair-raising tales of illegal immigration |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/chandigarh/the-donkey-route-to-britain-hair-raising-tales-of-illegal-immigration/story-YR2n5tJUcS2elwHGuPtxaO.html |access-date=2023-12-10 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}} * Conmen exploit migrants by facilitating illegal border crossings, using methods such as containers and ships. Agents apprehend migrants at borders, leading to deportation.{{Cite web |date=2016-01-20 |title=Panama Tragedy: Youth were taken through donkey flights |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/panama-tragedy-youth-were-taken-through-donkey-flights/ |access-date=2023-11-22 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}} * Agents provide forged documents, including residency permits and driving licenses. Less affluent migrants are often smuggled into the US, emphasizing the clandestine and perilous nature of the "Donkey Flight" scam.{{Cite web |last=Maqsood |first=Zofeen |date=2019-10-19 |title='USA Donkey': The secret code Indian deportees from Mexico used for their operation - The American Bazaar |url=https://www.americanbazaaronline.com/2019/10/19/usa-donkey-secret-code-indian-deportees-from-mexico-used-for-their-operation-439086/,%20https://www.americanbazaaronline.com/2019/10/19/usa-donkey-secret-code-indian-deportees-from-mexico-used-for-their-operation-439086/ |access-date=2023-12-10 |language=en-US}} == In popular media == * ''[Comrade in America](/source/Comrade_in_America)'' (2017) revolves around the 'Donkey Flight' travel of the protagonist to reach the [United States](/source/United_States).{{Citation |last=Neerad |first=Amal |title=CIA: Comrade in America |date=2017-05-19 |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5925772/ |type=Action, Adventure, Drama |access-date=2023-12-10 |others=Dulquer Salmaan, Karthika Muraleedharan, Siddique |publisher=Amal Neerad Productions}}{{Cite web |title=Comrade in America Review: This tale, from an untrodden turf, is a fine attempt |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/2017/may/06/comrade-in-america-review-this-tale-from-an-untrodden-turf-is-a-fine-attempt-1601577.html |access-date=2023-12-10 |website=The New Indian Express|date=7 May 2017 }} * ''[Aaja Mexico Challiye](/source/Aaja_Mexico_Challiye)'' (2022) showcases how the protagonist tries to reach the United States through a donkey route.{{Cite web |date=2023-08-31 |title=On 'donkey route' to the US, Gurdaspur man killed in Mexico bus accident |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/on-donkey-route-to-the-us-gurdaspur-man-killed-in-mexico-bus-accident-8917102/ |access-date=2023-12-17 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}} {{Cite web |title=Ammy Virk starrer Aaja Mexico Challiye highlights the struggles of all those who harbour dreams of moving to a foreign country and get tricked by agents |url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/entertainment/ammy-virk-starrer-aaja-mexico-challiye-highlights-the-struggles-of-all-those-who-harbour-dreams-of-moving-to-a-foreign-country-and-get-tricked-by-agents-373794 |website=[Tribune India](/source/Tribune_India)}} * ''[Dunki](/source/Dunki_(film))'' (2023) showcases a group of friends trying to reach the [United Kingdom](/source/United_Kingdom) through a donkey route. == See also == * [Deportation of Indian nationals under Donald Trump](/source/Deportation_of_Indian_nationals_under_Donald_Trump) * [Illegal immigration](/source/Illegal_immigration) * [Illegal immigration to the United States](/source/Illegal_immigration_to_the_United_States) * [Illegal immigration to Canada](/source/Illegal_immigration_to_Canada) * [Illegal immigration to the United Kingdom](/source/Illegal_immigration_to_the_United_Kingdom) * [Illegal entry](/source/Illegal_entry) == References == {{reflist}} Category:Illegal immigration Category:Punjabi words and phrases Category:Indian emigrants Category:Illegal immigration to India Category:Illegal immigration to Europe Category:Illegal immigration to North America Category:Illegal immigration to the United States Category:Illegal immigration to the United Kingdom Category:Border control --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Donkey flight](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donkey_flight) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donkey_flight?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.