Sat Nov 16 13:38:21 IST 2024: ## Indian Family Freezes to Death Attempting Illegal Border Crossing: Smuggling Trial Begins

**Minneapolis, MN – November 16, 2024** – The trial of two men accused of orchestrating a sophisticated human smuggling operation that resulted in the tragic deaths of an Indian family began Monday in Fergus Falls, Minnesota. Harshkumar Patel and Steve Shand are charged with four counts related to human smuggling after the Patel family – Jagdish, his wife Vaishaliben, and their two young children – perished from hypothermia while attempting to illegally cross the US-Canada border in January 2022.

The family, from the Indian village of Dingucha, embarked on their perilous journey during a blizzard, with wind chills reaching -38° Celsius. They were guided by Patel, described by prosecutors as an experienced smuggler, and were to be picked up by Shand on the US side. However, Shand’s van became stuck, leaving the family stranded and ultimately leading to their deaths. Jagdish Patel was found frozen to death clutching his 3-year-old son.

Prosecutors allege the smugglers, who pleaded not guilty, were part of a network facilitating the illegal immigration of Indians into the US, often exploiting the desire for better economic opportunities. The network charged exorbitant fees – up to $90,000 per person – often forcing families to sell assets like farmland to afford the passage. The operation utilized various methods, including obtaining Canadian student visas.

The incident highlights the escalating number of illegal border crossings from India into the US via the Canadian border. US Border Patrol arrests of Indians along this border have increased dramatically, exceeding 14,000 in the year ending September 30th, 2024 – a 60% increase.

While the Patel family’s case has drawn attention, Indian authorities acknowledge that hundreds of similar smuggling attempts go unreported. The smugglers, often operating with impunity, downplay the dangers involved, leading many to believe the crossing is easier than it is.

The trial is expected to shed light on the workings of this extensive smuggling operation and the devastating consequences of prioritizing profit over human life. Patel’s attorney claims his client was seeking a better life, while Shand’s attorney has not yet commented. The case raises broader concerns about the challenges of illegal immigration, economic disparities driving migration, and the exploitation of vulnerable individuals.

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