Indian family freezes to death while crossing US-Canada border
A desperate attempt to cross the Canadian border into the United States ended tragically for an Indian family of four in January 2022. Jagdish Patel, his wife Vaishaliben, and their two young children, 11-year-old Vihangi and three-year-old Dharmik, succumbed to the brutal cold after walking for hours in minus 38°C temperatures.
The family had set out on foot during a near-moonless night, travelling through fields and deep snowdrifts, in hopes of reaching a waiting van in Minnesota. The driver, Steve Shand, had warned his associate in Canada to ensure everyone was dressed for the dangerous conditions. However, prosecutors allege that neither Shand nor his Canadian contact, Harshkumar Patel—an experienced smuggler known as “Dirty Harry”—adequately prepared their passengers.
The Patels were part of a larger group of 11 migrants attempting to cross the border that night. They faced near-impossible odds, wearing inadequate clothing such as jeans and rubber boots, with no proper winter gear. After wandering for over 11 hours in gusting snow, they became separated from the group.
Their frozen bodies were discovered on the Canadian side of the border, with Jagdish holding his young son Dharmik. The mother and daughter were found nearby.
The smuggling network, reportedly charging up to $90,000 per person, preys on vulnerable families from Gujarat, India, by promising a better life abroad. Many, like the Patels, sell farmland or use savings to fund these perilous journeys.
Shand and Patel, accused of operating an organised smuggling ring, are set to stand trial in Minnesota. Prosecutors allege the network relied on Indian migrants with Canadian student visas, transporting them to the US through remote border points.
While Shand denies wrongdoing, Patel’s lawyer claims he sought a better life but now faces unjust charges. Meanwhile, experts and local officials warn that smuggling networks exploit migrants’ dreams while downplaying the dangers.
‘More than 90,000 arrested while trying to cross border’
Despite such tragedies, the dream of a better life in the United States continues to draw thousands of Indians, particularly from Gujarat. US Customs and Border Protection (US-CBP) data for fiscal year 2024 reveals that 90,415 Indians were arrested trying to enter the US illegally via Canada and Mexico. Of these, nearly half hailed from Gujarat.
Notably, 43,764 Indians were caught at the northern US-Canada border, the highest recorded so far. While overall apprehensions of Indians declined slightly compared to 2023, the Canada route has gained popularity among Gujaratis due to the relative ease of entry with Canadian visitor visas.
