Punjabi Man dies of Heart Attack during Illegal Route to US

A Punjabi man died of a heart attack in Guatemala while travelling to the United States via an illegal route.

Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, Punjab’s NRI Affairs Minister, identified the deceased as Gurpreet Singh, a resident of Ramdas town in Ajnala tehsil.

Gurpreet Singh was part of a group trying to reach the US through the ‘dunki’ route, often used by migrants. His family reportedly paid Rs 36 lakh (£33,000) to agents for the journey.

Dhaliwal visited Singh’s family to offer condolences.

He promised the government would help bring Singh’s body back to Punjab.

The minister urged young people not to risk their lives on illegal routes but instead focus on skill education and starting businesses in India.

Dhaliwal said: “A young man from Ramdas village lost his life on the way to America despite paying Rs 36 lakh.

“I appeal to all Punjabis not to go abroad illegally. If you have saved or borrowed such a large sum, use it to start a business here in Punjab.

“The Mann government will fully support the family in bringing back the body.”

Singh’s family said he had previously worked in England on a work permit but returned to Punjab, hoping to settle in the US.

They revealed that Singh hired a Chandigarh-based agent and paid him Rs. 16 lakh (£14,700) for the initial journey to Guyana.

However, for the next leg of the journey, Singh engaged a Pakistani agent, who charged Rs 20 lakh (£18,400), promising air travel to the US.

Instead, Singh was forced to take the dangerous jungle route.

One family member revealed Gurpreet Singh’s perilous journey:

“Gurpreet showed us on a video call how his toenails had come off due to the difficult journey.

“They stayed at a hotel in Guatemala.

“On the morning they were set to leave, he began experiencing breathing problems as soon as he sat in a taxi.

“A fellow traveller called us to inform us about his tragic death.”

It was later revealed that the 33-year-old passed away due to a heart attack.

Singh’s family has appealed to the Indian government to bring his body back for last rites.

The incident follows the recent deportation of 104 Indian migrants, including 30 from Punjab, who were sent back from the US on February 5 via a military aircraft.

The deportations have sparked criticism, with reports stating that the deportees were in handcuffs as they entered the plane.

Since returning to India, many have shared their stories of dangerous journeys to the US and their treatment during deportation.