Punjab has witnessed a sharp increase in Punjab immigration fraud complaints, but not a single prosecution sanction has been issued against the accused over the past three years, according to data shared by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in Parliament on Friday.
Complaints Rise, But Prosecution Remains Missing
The MEA informed the Lok Sabha that Punjab registered 80 complaints against illegal immigration agents in 2025, a steep jump from 18 complaints in 2024. The state had reported 56 complaints in 2023, reflecting persistent concerns over alleged immigration fraud.
Punjab ranked among the states with the highest number of complaints, behind Andhra Pradesh (448), Kerala (238), Delhi (153), Telangana (111), Tamil Nadu (99) and Rajasthan (97).
Despite the growing number of Punjab immigration fraud complaints, no request for prosecution sanction was sought or granted between 2023 and 2025. Without this approval, criminal prosecution cannot move forward under the relevant legal provisions.
Other States Have Taken Action
Several states have moved ahead with prosecution against accused immigration agents.
Delhi sought prosecution sanctions in 11 cases in 2024 and 13 cases in 2025, with approvals granted in every case. Kerala also initiated prosecution proceedings, seeking sanctions in seven cases in 2023 and 15 cases in 2024. Karnataka, Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu also reported prosecution-related action during the same period.
The figures indicate that while Punjab immigration fraud complaints continue to increase, the legal process has failed to keep pace.
Migration Dreams Continue To Fuel Fraud
Punjab has remained one of India’s biggest overseas migration hubs for decades. The promise of jobs, education and permanent residency abroad has supported a thriving network of visa and immigration consultants, but it has also created opportunities for fraudulent operators.
Districts including Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur and Kapurthala continue to account for a large share of complaints, while Mohali, Ludhiana and Amritsar have also reported rising cases.
The issue has gained renewed attention following the deportation of several Indians from the United States in recent months, many of whom reportedly travelled through illegal migration routes. The latest parliamentary data highlights the growing gap between Punjab immigration fraud complaints and the legal action needed to bring accused agents to justice.
FAQs
Q1. Why are Punjab immigration fraud complaints increasing?
A. Punjab has a large overseas migration population, making it a target for illegal immigration agents and visa fraud networks.
Q2. How many Punjab immigration fraud complaints were reported in 2025?
A. Parliament was informed that Punjab recorded 80 complaints against illegal immigration agents in 2025.
Q3. Why has no prosecution been initiated in Punjab?
A. The MEA data shows that no prosecution sanction was sought or granted between 2023 and 2025, preventing cases from moving to trial.
Q4. Which states have taken prosecution-related action?
A. Delhi, Kerala, Karnataka, Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu have reported prosecution-related action against illegal immigration agents.
