This process of going to a country without a legal visa. The backdoor illegal entry, is termed as ‘donkey flight’ or the ‘donkey process’. Initially, this term was associated with the UK exclusively, many Indians went to the UK like this. First, they went to the Schengen zone of Europe, the zone of 27 European countries, where only the Schengen visa is required. With the Schengen visa, one can cross borders into any of these countries.
Although the UK was not part of the Schengen zone, its proximity to Europe, allowed individuals to go to the UK through various routes in Europe, such as traveling in trucks, cars, or even walking for extended hours. Migration Policy Institute data indicates that even a decade ago, about 150 Indians were deported from the UK monthly.
However, today, the ‘donkey process’ has evolved to encompass various backdoor entries, with a shift in preference toward entering the United States rather than the UK. In India, numerous visa agencies and companies facilitate this process, with agents involved in transporting individuals termed as ‘donkers’. Two Indian states are renowned for being the primary exporters of illegal immigrants, Gujarat and Punjab. But due to rising unemployment in recent years, Haryana has also entered this competitive arena.
