Amritsar: Jatinder Singh, a 23-year-old from Punjab, was among the 112 undocumented Indian immigrants deported from the United States on Sunday. After landing in Amritsar, Singh recounted his harrowing experience of detention, alleging mistreatment, lack of food, and forced removal of his turban, as per India Today.
Singh, who left India in search of better job opportunities, said he paid ₹50 lakh to an agent who assured him a safe entry into the US. His journey took him through treacherous routes, including the dense jungles of Panama, before he was apprehended at the US border in November last year.
“The agent promised a smooth passage, but I was abandoned midway. I saw lifeless bodies in the jungles of Panama—it was a nightmare,” Singh said to India Today.
He described the detention conditions as harsh, claiming he was denied proper food and subjected to extreme temperatures. “They gave us only chips and juice twice a day. The air conditioning was set too low, making it unbearable,” he said.
Singh also alleged that US authorities forced him to remove his turban, violating his religious sentiments. “They said it was their rule and threw my turban into the dustbin,” he said.
On the flight back to India, he claimed he was shackled for nearly 36 hours, only being freed moments before landing.
Singh, who had sold family land and jewelry to fund his journey, now regrets his decision and has vowed to rebuild his life in India. “I will never try to go abroad again. My priority now is to find work here and support my family,” he said.
His ordeal highlights the risks and exploitation faced by many seeking illegal migration, raising concerns over human trafficking networks and the treatment of detainees in foreign detention centers.
