I Made a Mistake: Punjab Man's Tearful Video From Mexico Raises Fresh Alarm Over 'Donkey Route'

A tearful video of a Punjab man allegedly stranded in Mexico has surfaced online, in which he makes an emotional appeal to people not to take the so-called “donkey route” to reach the United States. The man, who appears distressed in the video, reportedly says he made a mistake by choosing the illegal migration route and warns others against trusting people who promise an easy journey abroad.

The man is seen speaking from what appears to be a room while visibly emotional. He reportedly claims that he travelled to Mexico as part of an irregular migration journey and alleges that he was assaulted after attempting to escape from the people involved in facilitating his travel. He also appears to appeal directly to viewers, urging them not to make the same decision.

The video has drawn attention in Punjab, where the desire to travel abroad has led some young people and families to rely on agents promising quick and inexpensive routes to the US and other Western countries. However, the exact identity of the man, his location and the circumstances surrounding the video could not be independently verified.

The term “donkey route”, also known as the “dunki route”, is commonly used to describe irregular migration journeys in which travellers move through multiple countries before attempting to enter their intended destination without the necessary legal documentation. For people trying to reach the US, such journeys can involve long and dangerous crossings through parts of Latin America and Mexico. The route can expose migrants to serious risks, including trafficking, extortion, violence, detention and abandonment. Travellers may also be forced to pay large sums of money to agents or intermediaries, sometimes leaving their families heavily indebted.

Punjab has witnessed several cases in recent years involving people who attempted to reach the US through such routes. Some migrants have returned after being detained or deported, while families of others have reported losing substantial amounts of money during unsuccessful journeys. In one case reported in 2025, a Punjab man allegedly paid ₹41 lakh to an agent for a journey that took him through several countries before he reached Mexico and attempted to enter the US. He was later deported. Other cases have involved migrants becoming stranded in unfamiliar countries or facing dangerous conditions during their journey.

The risks have prompted repeated warnings about unverified immigration agents and promises of guaranteed entry into the US. Authorities and immigration experts generally advise prospective migrants to check visa requirements carefully, verify the credentials of agents and use official immigration channels rather than relying on illegal routes.

For families considering overseas migration, the emotional video from Mexico serves as another reminder that the promise of a quick route to America can conceal serious dangers. While the specific claims made by the man in the video still require independent confirmation, his reported message is clear: taking an illegal migration route can carry consequences far beyond the money spent on the journey. As the video continues to circulate on social media, it has once again raised questions about the networks that facilitate irregular migration and the risks faced by people who place their trust in them.