Amid 'boycott Turkiye' calls, Indians trying to reach US illegally stranded in Istanbul

Amid growing calls to boycott Turkiye and Tukish goods, many Indians attempting to migrate illegally to US courting risks along the way have found themselves in deeper waters. Nearly 500 Gujaratis are stranded in Istanbul, which has long served as a key stopover for illegal immigrants on their forward journey to US.

A source privy to the development said sophisticated trafficking networks, operating through intermediaries in Gujarat, Punjab, and Delhi, have established complex routes through Istanbul and Mexico. These operations typically involve multiple stages, including identity alterations through fraudulent documentation in transit locations such as Istanbul or Dubai, before attempting entry into US through Mexican border towns. Apart from Gujaratis, there are people from Punjab and Andhra Pradesh who might be in hideouts in Turkiye.