An Indian family of four tragically lost their lives in January 2022 while attempting to cross the Canada-US border. Jagdish Patel, his wife Vaishaliben, and their two children, 11-year-old Vihangi and 3-year-old Dharmik, succumbed to the freezing temperatures after trekking for hours in -38°C weather.
Federal prosecutors have identified Harshkumar Patel, known as "Dirty Harry," as the smuggling coordinator in Canada. On the US side, Steve Shand, a recently recruited driver from Florida, allegedly assisted in the operation. Both men, accused of running a sophisticated human smuggling network targeting undocumented Indian migrants, have pleaded not guilty. Their trial is set to begin on November 18.
The Patels were part of a group of 11 migrants attempting to reach a waiting van in Minnesota. They embarked on the perilous journey on a dark, near-moonless night, trudging through fields and snowdrifts. Despite warnings to dress appropriately, the family wore insufficient clothing, such as jeans and rubber boots, leaving them vulnerable to the harsh conditions. After walking for over 11 hours, they became separated from the group.
Authorities later discovered their frozen bodies on the Canadian side of the border. Jagdish was found holding his son Dharmik, while Vaishaliben and Vihangi were nearby.
The smuggling network reportedly charged up to $90,000 per person, luring families from Gujarat, India, with promises of a better life abroad. Families often sold farmland or used their life savings to pay for these treacherous journeys.
'Over 90,000 Arrests at the Border'
Despite such devastating incidents, thousands of Indians, particularly from Gujarat, continue to attempt illegal entry into the United States. US Customs and Border Protection (US-CBP) reported that 90,415 Indians were apprehended in fiscal year 2024 while trying to cross the border through Canada and Mexico. Nearly half of these individuals hailed from Gujarat.
Of these, 43,764 were arrested at the northern US-Canada border, the highest figure recorded to date. While the total apprehensions of Indians declined slightly compared to 2023, the Canadian route has become increasingly popular due to the relative ease of obtaining Canadian visitor visas.
