Gujarat’s ‘Dollar Dream’ Shattered: 33 Deported Gujaratis Return After Failed Bid to Enter US

Ahmedabad : In a heartbreaking turn of events, 33 Gujaratis who had risked everything to pursue their American dream were deported back to India after being caught in the web of illegal migration. The group, which had spent a staggering ₹60 lakh each to travel illegally via the notorious ‘Donkey Route,’ arrived in Ahmedabad early Thursday morning from Amritsar, where they were escorted back to their homes by the Gujarat government and police.

For the past five years, the price of traveling illegally from Gujarat to the United States through this dangerous route has remained unchanged at ₹60 lakh, with individuals often taking out hefty loans to fund their journey. Once in the US, many of these individuals were apprehended and sent back to India, their records now handed over to Indian security agencies by the US authorities. While it’s still unclear whether the Indian government will take strict action against these deportees, the rising crackdown on illegal immigration under US President Donald Trump’s administration has intensified scrutiny on agents operating in regions like Kadi-Kalol, Anand, and Bharuch in Gujarat.

Mehsana’s ‘Dollar Region’ in the Spotlight

The deportation of these individuals has brought renewed attention to Mehsana district, a region notorious for sending a large number of illegal immigrants to the US. Villages like Kherva, Jorarnang, and Meu, often referred to as ‘dolariyo vistar’ (dollar region), have long been associated with dreams of a better future abroad. After the recent crackdown, the spotlight is on the 104 individuals arrested from states such as New Jersey, California, and Illinois, many of whom hail from these Gujarat villages. Over 30 deportees from north Gujarat’s Mehsana, Gandhinagar, and other districts are now facing an uncertain future.

The Personal Stories Behind the Deportations

Among the deportees is Khushbu Patel from Luna village in Padra taluka, who was only in the US for 25 days before being sent back. Her family, who had high hopes for her brighter future, was left shocked by the news. Similarly, other deportees like Smit Patel and Shivani Goswami have returned to Gujarat, but their families remain tight-lipped about their situation.

The emotional toll on these families is immense as they grapple with the realization that their loved ones’ dreams have come crashing down after spending years working towards a future that now seems unattainable.