Donkey flight

{{Short description|Technique for an illegal border crossing}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}} '''Donkey flight''' ("dunki" in Punjabi) is an illegal immigration technique used for unauthorized entry into countries such as the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and Australia.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

== 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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}}</ref>

Many young people divert substantial funds to pay for these journeys. These families become victims of deception as they pay for promised visas.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

== Operation == The approach is used for immigration to many countries.<ref>{{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}}</ref> * Conmen exploit migrants by facilitating illegal border crossings, using methods such as containers and ships. Agents apprehend migrants at borders, leading to deportation.<ref>{{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}}</ref> * 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.<ref>{{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}}</ref>

== In popular media == * ''Comrade in America'' (2017) revolves around the 'Donkey Flight' travel of the protagonist to reach the United States.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref>{{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 }}</ref>

* ''Aaja Mexico Challiye'' (2022) showcases how the protagonist tries to reach the United States through a donkey route.<ref>{{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}}</ref><ref> {{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}} </ref>

* ''Dunki'' (2023) showcases a group of friends trying to reach the United Kingdom through a donkey route.

== 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