Additional Coverage:
- Human smugglers convicted after Indian family freezes to death trying to illegally cross northern border (foxnews.com)
Human Smugglers Convicted in Minnesota
Two human smugglers, Harshkumar Patel and Steve Shand, have been found guilty of four charges related to the deaths of an Indian family in 2022. The family froze to death while attempting to cross the US-Canada border illegally.
Tragic Deaths and Cruel Indifference
The family, including two children, died in sub-zero temperatures due to the smugglers’ reckless actions. US Attorney Andy Luger condemned the “unthinkable cruelty” of the smugglers, who prioritized profit over human lives.
Smuggling Ring Uncovered
Patel, an Indian national, and Shand, a US citizen, were part of an international smuggling ring that illegally transported Indian migrants across the border. Patel organized the operation, while Shand drove the vehicle.
Devastating Consequences
The tragedy exposed the dangerous reality of human smuggling, with migrants being exploited and forced into debt. A smuggler testified that he had smuggled over 500 Indians, who often worked low-wage jobs to repay their smugglers.
Sentencing and Charges
Patel and Shand face up to 20 years in prison. Prosecutors will make recommendations on sentencing. Their defense teams claimed they were unwitting participants or misidentified.
Surge in Indian Migrant Arrests
Over 14,000 Indian migrants were arrested at the Canadian border in the year ending September 2022, accounting for 60% of all arrests. This number has increased significantly in recent years.