Borders are drawn, countries have immigration laws, yet people keep moving. Illegal immigration isn’t new – it’s history repeating itself, where the law says “no” but humanitarian needs and economies demand often say “yes”. Illegal immigration happens through various risky and non-traditional practices, and one of the most common methods is unauthorized border crossing by walking or through a vehicle. These long walks that immigrants take to enter a country illegally is often called “Dunki”, which is a Punjabi term meaning donkey. It basically describes the psychological anguish that people who migrate illegally in search of a better life go through. This phrase is especially pertinent when discussing Indian migrants who, motivated by unemployment and hopes for better living conditions, set out on dangerous treks assisted by people smugglers—a phenomenon known as “donkey” migration.
An important question is now being asked: why do these individuals leave their homelands and wander off to an unfamiliar territory? The whole essence behind illegal immigration is to seek a better quality of life, one might wonder if it truly is the “American Dream”. Pushed majorly by economic hardships, many resort to immigrating illegally to build a better life. Ironically, they are met with a life marked by intense psychological trauma, whether related to the journey or the aftermath – living as undocumented immigrants. Living without any formal documentation, is bound to instill a sense of uncertainty, and the immigrants have to live under the constant threat of being deported and exploited. While some may learn to adjust to the life of a refugee, others may lose their sense of identity along the way. Especially, when moving from a tightly-knit, collectivistic society like in India, to one that is more individualistic, one might yearn to belong.
But the mental toll of wanting to lead a better life has become a reason for uproarious concern. Starting from the time they leave their families and habitat, feelings of uncertainty and distress creep in. On foreign land, more often than not, and as studies have demonstrated, those feelings aggregate and progressively transform into symptoms of mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, and PTSD. These marginalized communities henceforth bear the burden of living in unsuitable conditions
Anxiety and chronic stress are the most common mental health issues illegal immigrants face. Being arrested, deported, or separated from their family are constant fears they live in. This constant stress has significant impacts on their body, including social isolation, headaches, insomnia, fatigue, and more. Post-migration, many experience the feeling of hopelessness, mainly due to poor living conditions, poverty, and unemployment, which can often lead to depression. The experience of discrimination and prejudice can also contribute to suicidal thoughts, which can further lead to self-harm tendencies in the migrants. There is also particular concern regarding the mental well-being of unaccompanied children. Both in their home countries and during migration, these children often endure several traumatic events, increasing their likelihood of developing PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
Undocumented immigrants often face a higher risk of mental health challenges like anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), etc. Just to state an example, a substantial correlation between the frequency of mental disorders and post-migration living challenges was discovered by a systematic review that focused on undocumented Mexican immigrants. The study suggests the need for laws that make it easier for people to get mental health care suited to their particular needs. Reports from February of this year suggest that a flight containing 200 illegal immigrants were sent back to Amritsar by Trump. The US deports 205 illegal Indian immigrants; the flight to land in Amritsar today.
Undocumented immigrants’ mental health problems have been made worse by the Covid pandemic. This community experiences severe psychological distress as a result of various stressors like economic challenges, familial disturbances, and anti-immigrant propaganda.
Despite having a long history, illegal immigration has upsides and downsides. Economic growth, labor force expansion, and demographic shifts are some potential benefits it offers. However, it also poses concerns about wage depression, strain on public services, social tension, and fairness. To ensure that individuals do not feel obliged to leave in search of better opportunities elsewhere, sustainable solutions should be crafted that focus on developing conditions of these regions
As suggested by the American Psychiatric Association, psychological interventions are crucial to ensure the well-being of these individuals. Some of these include: Inform them about the legal rights they have to access resources they need to protect themselves and their families. Allow patients to tell their stories, which will help them process and prevent symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD. Regular screening for trauma; trauma-sensitive screening to recognize symptoms of trauma. Recognise the impact of violence on development and coping while providing a safe environment for these practices. Increase follow-up interventions to combat psychological, psychosocial, emotional, and culture-specific stressors. It would be fair to say that quality of life should not be fought for. It is an essential component in building a progressive and developed nation and should be ensured for all. Recognition of these issues and opening up psychological care is crucial in helping migrants find their footing once more as concerns about stability, identity, and hope.
Dunki syndrome, therefore, becomes an umbrella term encapsulating the mentality of illegal immigrants – from their due resilience to the deep, psychological pain inflicted on them upon taking the Dunki route. The current state of illegal immigrants urgently calls for a rethink in state policies, on both ends, for one nation created the brutal circumstances that pushed immigrants to flee and the other, so dehumanising that it failed to offer refuge. Addressing Dunki syndrome is not just about policies; it’s about understanding the basic psychological need. So, governments and societies must work toward inclusion, ensuring that migrants – legal or not – are treated with respect and dignity. Counseling, community support, and mental health programs can also help them cope. At last it is important to understand that a better life should not come at the cost of mental well-being; it should begin with it.
Bhavya Jain is an organisational psychologist and the founder of That Happiness Project.
