1. Aspiration for a Better Life
Many Indians view the United States as a land of opportunity, offering better career prospects, higher wages, and a better standard of living. The allure of the "American Dream" motivates people to take extreme risks to reach the U.S., even through illegal channels.
2. Lack of Opportunities at Home
Unemployment, low wages, and limited opportunities for upward mobility in India push individuals to seek better prospects abroad. Many feel they cannot achieve their desired quality of life in India due to systemic challenges, including corruption, slow economic growth in certain sectors, and insufficient access to quality education or jobs.
3. Influence of Smugglers and Agents
Traffickers and illegal immigration agents prey on vulnerable individuals, selling them the promise of an easier life abroad. They use false promises, fake success stories, and aggressive marketing to convince people that these risky methods are safe and effective. Often, agents paint these illegal routes as an alternative to the lengthy and competitive legal immigration process.
4. Family and Peer Pressure
In many Indian families, there is significant societal pressure to succeed financially, support extended family, and elevate the family's social status. If someone else in the community or family has successfully migrated and established themselves abroad, others may feel compelled to follow, even if it involves illegal methods.
5. High Demand for Low-Skilled Labor in the US
The U.S. labor market has a consistent demand for low-skilled and undocumented workers in sectors such as construction, agriculture, hospitality, and domestic work. Many migrants see an opportunity to fill these gaps, even if they have to enter the country illegally.
6. Loopholes in the System
Some individuals believe that crossing into the U.S. through Canada or other backdoor routes is a viable option because of perceived leniency in immigration enforcement or the assumption that they can regularize their status later through asylum claims or other legal pathways.
7. Cost of Legal Migration
Legal migration to countries like the U.S. involves a lengthy, complex, and expensive process. This includes meeting educational and financial requirements, navigating strict visa quotas, and enduring long waiting periods. For many, illegal routes seem like a quicker, albeit riskier, alternative.
8. Lack of Awareness of Risks
Many migrants are unaware of the dangers involved in illegal immigration, including trafficking, exploitation, harsh weather conditions, and the risk of detention or deportation. Traffickers often downplay these risks to lure clients.
Tragic Consequences
Unfortunately, these factors can lead to devastating outcomes, such as the loss of life or lifelong financial and emotional scars. Cases like the family from Dingucha, Gujarat, who died in the freezing cold while attempting to cross the Canada-US border, highlight the grim realities of such decisions.
To combat this issue, there is a need for greater awareness, stricter enforcement against trafficking networks, and the creation of better opportunities within India to reduce the push factors driving illegal migration.
