Cracking the Code: Enforcing Against Illegal Immigration

The Enforcement Directorate is conducting searches in Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi as part of a money laundering investigation. This is linked to illegal immigration operations where individuals were deceived into paying large sums to travel agents for unlawful entry into the US. Assets worth Rs 5 crore have been attached in connection.

The Enforcement Directorate has intensified its crackdown on illegal immigration rings across northern India, with fresh searches conducted in Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi. The operation is part of an ongoing investigation into a network of travel agents alleged to have facilitated illegal entries into the United States.

In an earlier operation, assets worth Rs 5 crore were seized from agents implicated in the 'dunki' route scheme—a reference to the perilous journeys arranged for immigrants via South America to enter the US illegally. The current raids are targeting further suspects involved in this extensive network spread across Jalandhar, Delhi, and Panipat.

The probe is rooted in FIRs by Punjab and Haryana Police after 330 Indian nationals were deported from the US in 2025. The investigation reveals that victims were misled and charged exorbitant fees, only to be sent through dangerous routes, subjected to torture, and extortion for additional sums.

(With inputs from agencies.)