Tragic Death of Indian Family Highlights Dangers of Illegal Border Crossings

The Patel family's fatal journey underscores the perilous realities faced by migrants and the rise in human smuggling operations.

Jagdish Patel, his wife, and their two young children froze to death while attempting to cross the US-Canada border in January 2022.
The family was part of a group of 11 Indian migrants led by smugglers Harshkumar Patel and Steve Shand, who are now facing trial for human smuggling.
Illegal immigration from India to the US has surged, with over 14,000 Indians arrested at the Canadian border in the year ending September 2022.
Smuggling networks, driven by economic inequality and political repression in India, charge exorbitant fees, exploiting migrants' desperation for a better life.
The Patels' story reflects broader immigration challenges, including a dysfunctional US immigration system and the human cost of smuggling operations.