NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
Atlanta, GA, June 25, 2025 – A growing number of Indian migrants are turning their often dangerous and illegal attempts to cross into the United States into viral social media content, showcasing their journeys—and even deportations.
According to a recent Newsweek report, platforms like Instagram and YouTube are now home to dozens of accounts where Indian nationals, mostly young men, document their grueling treks from South America through the perilous Darién Gap into Mexico, culminating at the U.S. border. What once was a quiet, high-stakes gamble is now playing out as digital spectacle.
One such example, according to Newsweek, is the Kaatiya Brothers USA channel, where two Indian siblings film themselves camping in the jungle, navigating muddy trails, and riding buses through Panama with a tone that mixes survival and excitement. Their vlogs, edited with music and captions, have attracted thousands of views, normalizing the journey for aspirants back home.
Other Instagram users have gone even further, uploading immigration paperwork, deportation orders, and personal updates that track their cyclical journeys—leaving India, being detained at the U.S. border, flown back, and trying again.
“Part of the reason why they’re doing this time and time again is that they are posting it on social media channels,” said Gil Guerra, an immigration policy analyst at the Niskanen Center, in his comments to Newsweek. “I really think that is a very critical part of the explanation and the motivation here.”
Guerra notes that many of these migrants hail from the Indian states of Punjab and Haryana—regions where land prices have recently surged. Families often sell agricultural land to fund the smuggling journey, which can cost tens of thousands of dollars.
“They are relatively wealthy, especially in comparison to the rest of the population in India,” Guerra explained, “but they typically don’t have the credentials or education to immigrate legally to the United States.”
For many, the destination is not just the U.S.—but specific industries. Guerra points out that a significant number of these men are Sikh and find opportunities in the long-haul trucking sector, which offers decent pay and community support despite educational limitations.
U.S. Border Patrol data supports the rise in unauthorized Indian immigration. In Fiscal Year 2024, 25,529 Indian nationals were arrested at the southwest border while attempting to enter the country illegally. In FY 2023, that number was even higher—41,719.
Despite the risks of arrest, detention, and deportation, the viral nature of these crossings may be creating a feedback loop: the more views and followers a migrant gains, the greater the incentive to try again and document it for an audience.
While the tone of these videos may be upbeat, the underlying journey is filled with dangers. The Darién Gap is notorious for criminal gangs, extreme weather, and treacherous terrain. Detention in ICE facilities and forced deportations follow for many, and yet, the trend continues.
Analysts warn that this romanticization of illegal crossings may obscure the dangers and long-term consequences of repeated detentions and removals.
Still, the influencer-era migration trend highlights a new frontier in how global movement is shaped—not just by economics or policy, but increasingly, by likes, shares, and the promise of digital fame.
Why Are Indian Migrants Repeatedly Attempting Illegal U.S. Border Crossings?
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Economic Opportunity and Aspirations
Many migrants come from relatively prosperous families in Punjab and Haryana, where rising land prices allow them to afford expensive smuggling fees (sometimes tens of thousands of dollars). Despite this, they often lack the formal education or credentials needed to obtain legal U.S. visas. They see crossing the border as a fast track to better jobs and higher incomes, especially in sectors like long-distance trucking, where established Sikh communities provide work and support. -
Social Media as Motivation and Validation
By documenting their journey on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, migrants turn their dangerous border crossings into a form of social media content that gains them followers, likes, and attention. This viral fame becomes a source of pride and validation, encouraging them to repeat the journey multiple times even after deportation. -
A Feedback Loop of Influence
Videos showing successful crossings—even if followed by detention or deportation—create a perception that the journey is doable and even adventurous. This social media “proof” inspires others to attempt the crossing, sometimes multiple times, increasing the flow of migrants along these routes. -
Lack of Legal Alternatives
Because many do not qualify for regular immigration channels due to educational or financial requirements, they resort to smuggling networks, which are aggressively marketed through social media platforms. This creates a shadow economy where migrants pay smugglers to guide them through dangerous paths like Panama’s Darién Gap. -
Community Networks and Economic Pressures
Strong Sikh community networks in the U.S. promise a foothold and job opportunities once migrants arrive, motivating many to endure the risks. Meanwhile, families often invest heavily in these journeys by selling land or taking on debt, creating pressure to succeed or try again after deportation.
Cover photo: Kaatiya Brothers/IG
