Indians Pay Up to £81K Each to Be Smuggled into the US from Canada After Arriving as International Students

Indian authorities have uncovered a sprawling human trafficking network allegedly funnelling Indian nationals into the United States via Canada under the guise of international student migration.

The investigation, led by India's Enforcement Directorate (ED), has unearthed alarming details of how thousands of individuals are exploited, highlighting the intersection of fraudulent college admissions and organised smuggling rings.

A Tragic Catalyst: The Dingucha Case

The probe began in the wake of the heartbreaking deaths of the Patel family in January 2022.

Jagdish Baldevbhai Patel, 39, his wife, Vaishaliben Jagdishkumar Patel, 37, and their children, Vihangi Jagdishkumar Patel, 11, and Dharmik Jagdishkumar Patel, 3, were found frozen to death near the US-Canada border.

The family, from Dingucha village in Gujarat, had reportedly been smuggled into Canada with hopes of crossing into the United States. They perished in sub-zero temperatures while attempting the perilous journey on foot.

The incident shocked India and triggered an international investigation into the smuggling network that had facilitated their doomed journey. Since then, the case, dubbed the "Dingucha tragedy," has become a symbol of the dangers of illegal migration.

A Lucrative Smuggling Network

According to the ED, the operation involves fraudulent college admissions as a means to obtain Canadian student visas.

Once in Canada, individuals bypass their educational commitments and instead pay exorbitant sums—between £74,251 and £81,437 ($93,000 and $102,000)—to be smuggled into the United States.

Recent raids in Mumbai, Nagpur, Gandhinagar, and Vadodara have uncovered evidence pointing to two Mumbai-based organisations orchestrating these operations.

These entities allegedly collaborate with over 260 Canadian colleges, securing admissions for students who never attend classes.

Instead, the students are smuggled across the border, and their tuition fees are refunded as part of the scheme.

Canadian Colleges Under Scrutiny

The ED claims that approximately 112 Canadian colleges have agreements with one of the implicated entities, while another has partnerships with over 150 colleges.

Although the names of these institutions have not been disclosed, the findings have raised concerns about the role of educational institutions in facilitating illegal migration.

The network's reach is staggering, with around 25,000 students referred annually by one entity and over 10,000 by the other.

An estimated 1,700 agents operate in Gujarat alone, with 3,500 agents active nationwide.

Connections to Recent US Convictions

The investigation also ties into recent human smuggling convictions in the United States.

In November, a Minnesota jury found Steve Shand, a Florida resident, and Harshkumar Patel, an Indian national, guilty of human smuggling.

Prosecutors revealed that Patel orchestrated the operation while Shand acted as the driver. The duo attempted to smuggle 11 Indian migrants into the US; however, only seven survived the crossing, with the Patel family tragically losing their lives to the harsh winter conditions.

Shand and Patel are currently awaiting sentencing, and both are expected to appeal their convictions. Their case has become a focal point in the broader investigation, underscoring the dangers and complexities of human smuggling networks.

The Role of Indian Authorities

Indian investigators have worked tirelessly to dismantle the network.

According to retired Gujarat police official Anil Pratham, the team scrutinised documentation used by prospective students to secure Canadian visas.

Villagers were encouraged to come forward with information about agents and victims involved in the smuggling ring.

Pratham noted that the process took nearly three years to complete. "The first step is to establish the crime, charge, investigate, and finalise those charges," he explained.

He also emphasised the importance of international cooperation, praising the assistance provided by Canadian and US law enforcement agencies.

Diplomatic Tensions and Broader Implications

The revelations come amid heightened tensions between India and Canada, compounded by allegations that Indian officials have targeted Sikh activists in Canada.

The strained relations have raised questions about cross-border collaboration and the effectiveness of international efforts to combat human trafficking.

In the United States, president-elect Donald Trump has vowed to impose tariffs on Canadian goods if Ottawa fails to strengthen its border security.

In response, Canada has allocated £843 million ($1.3 billion) over six years to address migration and drug trafficking issues.

Meanwhile, the Indian government continues to call for greater accountability from Canadian institutions implicated in the scandal.

Human Costs of Illegal Migration

The human toll of these operations cannot be overstated. Families like the Patels risk everything, including their lives, in pursuit of better opportunities.

Tragically, their dreams often end in despair. The Dingucha tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by those entrapped in smuggling networks.

Pratham urged prospective migrants to pursue legal avenues, saying, "There is a legal way of going from India to whichever country one wants."