After the return of illegal migrants from America, the news that action against travel agents in Punjab has commenced is difficult to digest. This step should have been taken earlier and it cannot be termed fool-proof. Was the Punjab government unaware of the existence of such agencies in the state making false promises and creating dreams among unsuspecting people of brighter prospects in USA, Canada and Europe? These are nothing but houses of deceit flourishing as travel agencies. These so-called travel agents have opened shops at various places. They dangle the carrot before foreign job seekers and extort lakhs of rupees on the plea that the passage to foreign countries of their choice would be absolutely legal. After getting the money, these agents initially send them to Dubai and Sharjah. Later, generally, the agents send these gullible job seekers to Columbia, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Honduras and other places. Human traffickers are active in such places and they take these people through dangerous jungle routes to Mexico. These groups of human traffickers have nexus with their respective countries’ police and Border Security Forces. This nexus aids these people to illegally enter the USA through Mexico.
There is a good reason to believe that some dubious travel agents operating in Punjab have links with such human traffickers in South American countries who have become unrestrained mafias. Such agents lure youth with jobs in foreign shores and their ilk is also active in Haryana and Gujarat. These agents have been in business since decades but there is doubt if any solid step has been initiated against them. If the steps being taken against them turn out to be mere eyewash, then it should not be surprising. The central government should direct state governments, especially of Punjab, Haryana and Gujarat, to take decisive action against those travel agents who deceive people in the name of lucrative foreign jobs thereby robbing the youth of their future prospects and placing the country in negative light. India should also urge the USA and its neighbouring countries to take action against human traffickers active there. It is also necessary for the youth who dream of foreign jobs and their guardians to be careful so that they are not taken for a ride by these travel agents and agencies. Going abroad illegally is knowingly inviting trouble. There is no sense whatsoever in paying such shady travel agents Rs 50 to 90 lakh for travelling to foreign countries illegally. This is suicidal. With so much money at stake, one can easily start business in the country itself. It is foolish to think of going abroad illegally and hoping that no problem would arise.
