New Delhi: Punjab has once again come under the spotlight over alleged immigration fraud and illegal overseas recruitment networks after the Central Government revealed in Parliament that 154 complaints were registered against illegal immigration agents in the state between 2023 and 2025. However, despite the growing number of complaints, no prosecution sanction was either sought or granted during the entire three-year period, raising concerns over the gap between complaints and legal action.
According to data presented by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in the Lok Sabha, Punjab recorded 56 complaints against illegal immigration agents in 2023. The number fell to 18 in 2024 before rising sharply to 80 in 2025, taking the total to 154 complaints over the three-year period.
The government data showed that Punjab was among the states reporting the highest number of complaints against illegal immigration agents. Andhra Pradesh recorded the highest number with 448 complaints, followed by Kerala (238), Delhi (153), Telangana (111), Tamil Nadu (99), and Rajasthan (97).
Despite the number of complaints, the Ministry stated that no request for prosecution sanction was made or granted in Punjab between 2023 and 2025. As a result, none of the reported cases moved to the next legal stage required for criminal prosecution under the relevant provisions.
In comparison, several other states reported prosecution-related action. Delhi sought prosecution sanction in 11 cases in 2024 and 13 cases in 2025, with approvals granted in all of them. Kerala sought prosecution sanction in seven cases in 2023 and 15 cases in 2024, receiving approvals in seven and one cases respectively. Karnataka, Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu also reported prosecution-related proceedings during the same period.
The figures come amid continuing concerns over alleged illegal immigration networks operating in Punjab, where overseas employment and permanent settlement abroad remain a major aspiration for many families. The demand for visa and immigration services has led to the growth of a large consultancy market, alongside repeated complaints of fraudulent operators allegedly misleading people with false promises of overseas jobs and migration.
Districts in Punjab’s Doaba region, particularly Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, and Kapurthala, have traditionally been among the country’s major overseas migration hubs. In recent years, Mohali, Ludhiana, and Amritsar have also witnessed an increase in complaints related to alleged immigration fraud.
The issue has received renewed attention following the deportation of several Indian nationals from the United States, many of whom were reportedly linked to illegal migration routes. The latest data presented in Parliament highlights the gap between the number of complaints registered against illegal immigration agents and the legal action that has followed in Punjab.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
