Indian law enforcement has launched a wide-reaching investigation into alleged connections between Canadian colleges and two entities in Mumbai accused of facilitating the illegal transport of international students across the Canada-U.S. border. The probe follows revelations by India’s Enforcement Directorate (ED), which claims to have uncovered evidence of “human trafficking” during searches conducted in several cities.
The investigation stems from the January 2022 deaths of Jagdish Baldevbhai Patel, 39, his wife, and two children near the Manitoba-U.S. border. Authorities believe they perished from exposure during an attempt to cross into the U.S. illegally. A Minnesota court recently convicted two individuals, Steve Shand and Harshkumar Patel, for their involvement in smuggling unauthorized individuals across the border.
According to the ED, the Mumbai-based entities allegedly facilitated student admissions to Canadian colleges, enabling individuals to obtain student visas. Upon arrival in Canada, many students reportedly crossed into the U.S. illegally, bypassing their educational commitments. The agency alleges the involved entities refunded the fees paid for college admissions after the illegal crossings.
The ED also claims that approximately 112 Canadian colleges were connected with one of the entities, while over 150 colleges worked with another. Over 25,000 students annually were reportedly referred to these institutions, with operational support from a network of thousands of agents across India.
The allegations come amidst heightened scrutiny of Canada’s international student programs and growing concerns about border security between Canada and the U.S. Relations between Canada and India are already tense, following diplomatic disputes and allegations regarding interference in Canadian domestic affairs.
Indian officials stress the importance of legal channels for students seeking opportunities abroad. Former Gujarat police official Anil Pratham, who was involved in the investigation, emphasized the role of community cooperation in uncovering the trafficking network.
While Canadian and U.S. authorities have yet to comment, the revelations highlight the complex challenges of regulating international migration and combating human trafficking. Further developments are awaited as the investigation unfolds.