Additional Coverage:
- 2 convicted in human smuggling case after Indian family froze to death while crossing U.S.-Canada border (nbcnews.com)
Human Smuggling Case Concludes with Convictions
Two men have been found guilty of human smuggling charges in Minnesota. Harshkumar Patel and Steve Shand were involved in an operation that led to the tragic deaths of an Indian family.
The family, including a father, mother, and two children, froze to death while crossing the Canada-U.S. border during a blizzard in 2022. Prosecutors alleged that Patel coordinated the operation while Shand was a driver.
Experts say illegal immigration from India is driven by factors such as political repression and a lengthy legal immigration process. The U.S. Border Patrol has reported a sharp increase in Indian arrests on the Canadian border.
The trial featured testimony from an alleged smuggling participant and forensic experts. Defense attorneys presented arguments claiming misidentification and lack of involvement.
One juror expressed the difficulty of viewing the victims’ bodies and the harsh conditions that led to their deaths. The convictions highlight the dangers faced by victims of human smuggling and the need for strict enforcement of the law.