Chandigarh, March 12
Haryana Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sh. Mahipal Dhanda said strict action will be taken against travel agents who send Haryana youth abroad illegally. He informed that the state government has prepared the Haryana Travel Agents Registration and Regulation Bill, 2025 and many agents working illegally have also been arrested after registration of cases.
Sh. Mahipal Dhanda was responding to a calling attention motion brought by some members of the House during the budget session of the Haryana Legislative Assembly today regarding the fraud being committed in the name of sending people abroad illegally.
He said migration has been an integral part of human history, driven by the universal aspiration for a better life. For centuries, people have moved across borders in search of economic opportunities, security and improved living standards. Today, migration has become a defining global trend, with millions of people moving to different countries every year.
He said with globalization and technological advancement, migration routes have expanded. However, stringent immigration laws and limited legal options often force migrants to take alternate and at times illegal routes. This transforms migration from a pursuit of legal opportunity to a highly risky and illegal endeavour.
He said it is a fact that in Haryana, there has been an increase in the incidents of migration to other countries in recent years. Along with legal migration, incidents of illegal migration through the ‘Donkey Route’, are also coming to light. This is not only a problem of Haryana but is also prevalent in other states of the country like Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and southern states where agents send individuals through several countries and then try to get them illegally entered in US and Canada. People who are unaware of immigration laws or are eager to go out of their homes are more likely to be exploited.
Investigations in various cases and interrogation of recently deported persons have revealed that these people desirous of going abroad first go to countries like Dubai, Spain, Mexico, Netherlands, Singapore, Thailand etc. from India on legal basis like work visa, tourist visa, study visa or visa on arrival. From there, these people use the donkey route to enter western countries like US and Canada illegally.
He said in view of this problem, the Haryana Government has taken several concrete steps to take strict action against illegal agents, strengthen law enforcement and make people, especially the youth, aware about the serious dangers of illegal migration. The state government constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) in May 2020 under the chairmanship of Inspector General of Police, Karnal Range to dismantle the network of illegal agents. Thereafter, a new Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted by the state government in April 2023 under the chairmanship of Inspector General of Police, Ambala Range, which also included Superintendents of Police, Ambala and Kaithal. Through this, strict action is being taken against the criminals by thoroughly investigating all the cases of fraud and cheating related to illegal migration (Kabootarbaazi). He informed that the SIT has issued helpline number 80530-03400 for complaints related to illegal immigration. Under this, raids were conducted and the offices of fraudulent agents were sealed. The statements of the victims have proved helpful in understanding the modus operandi of these networks, leading to significant progress in the research.
He informed that police officers are tracing financial transactions, travel records and digital communications to take action against illegal migration networks. DSP level officers in each district have been appointed as nodal officers to monitor and supervise illegal immigration fraud cases.
He informed that during the last five years, a total of 2,008 illegal migration cases were registered by the SIT, in which 1,917 people were arrested and an amount of more than Rs 26.08 crore was recovered.
He said the state government has prepared the Haryana Travel Agents Registration and Regulation Bill, 2025, which aims to ensure transparency, accountability and integrity of travel agents. This bill will curb illegal and fraudulent activities and protect the interests of the residents of Haryana. He informed that registration of all travel agents/agencies operating in Haryana is mandatory. If any travel agent / agency is found involved in any illegal activity, its registration will be canceled. Operating as a travel agent/agency without a registration certificate will be a punishable offence.
Provision of punishment and fine, if found guilty, in cases of human trafficking or preparing fake documents is also there. The court will have the right to confiscate the property of the culprits and award appropriate compensation to the victim, which will be paid by the travel agent.
He informed that 332 deported Indians were repatriated by the US in February 2025 through three flights. Of the 104 Indians in the first flight on February 5, 33 were from Haryana. In the second flight on February 15, 116 Indians returned, of which 34 were from Haryana. The third flight on February 16 brought 112 Indians, of which 44 were from Haryana. Thus, of the total 332 deported citizens, the highest 126 (38%) were from Punjab, and 111 (33%) from Haryana. Arrangements were made to safely transport all 111 state residents to their native places.
The minister informed that the deportation of Indian citizens from the US is not a new development. A total of 15,896 Indians have been deported from 2009 to February 2025.
35 FIRs have been registered in respect of 111 persons deported recently in Haryana and 12 agents have been arrested from whom Rs 35.31 lakh has been recovered. Beyond law enforcement, the Haryana Government is also giving priority to the welfare and rehabilitation of the deported citizens. The returned citizens are being provided medical check-ups, psychological counselling and temporary support to help them re-adjust into society.
Sh. Mahipal Dhanda said the government is aware of the problem and multi-pronged steps are being taken to deal with it. While strict legal action is being taken against the agents and brokers involved in this heinous crime, a new law is being introduced in this session of the House to prevent such crimes in future. Also, efforts are being made at various levels to create awareness among the citizens to adopt legal path to pursue opportunities abroad.
He said that he assures the members of the Vidhan Sabha that the government is committed to protect the interests of the citizens and no culprit involved in illegal immigration cases will be spared.
