Goa’s job scarcity and allure of the American dream spur desperate youths to trudge and trek via South America’s donkey route. Once they cross Mexico-US border, they are smuggled to small towns where they then hope to find work as petrol pump operators, gardeners or delivery agents after paying lakhs to unscrupulous agents.
For two young Goans who had left for the US only last month, this dream came crashing as they sat shackled and handcuffed on a US C-17 military transport aircraft on Saturday during their disconsolate journey back to where they started: home.
Sarzora lad AC Mascarenhas, in his twenties, found his hopes crushed even before he could make it to US soil. His dangerous trek through several countries and his audacious plan of being smuggled by human traffickers in pursuit of the American dream ended at the US border. For company, he had a compatriot from Shiroda, G Souza. The two returned home quietly on Sunday, accompanied by Goa cops. This was the first instance of Goans being sent back in handcuffs with their legs chained during the flight.
“It’s unfortunate that Goan youths were part of the group deported. They can’t get jobs here, which is why they go to find jobs abroad. Time for govt to study why youths risk their lives to enter illegally into countries like the US,” said Velim AAP MLA Cruz Silva.