Shocking Human Trafficking Syndicate Involving 260 Canadian Colleges Uncovered
A recent investigation by India's Enforcement Directorate (ED) has uncovered a shocking human trafficking syndicate that involves over 260 Canadian colleges and universities. This revelation sheds light on a major illegal operation, where individuals seeking to enter the United States were duped into using student visas for Canada as a backdoor route. The case is particularly troubling, not just for the blatant exploitation, but also for the tragic deaths of a Gujarati family, whose desperate attempt to cross the US-Canada border illegally ended in a horrifying freeze in 2022.
The investigation centers around two Indian agents from Mumbai and Nagpur who allegedly sent about 35,000 illegal migrants abroad every year. These individuals were charged exorbitant amounts, ranging from Rs 50-60 lakh each, to arrange fraudulent student visas. These visas allowed them to enter Canada with the intent of crossing into the United States illegally. Rather than attend their Canadian institutions, these "students" would bypass the academic journey and instead risk their lives by crossing the border into the US, often in perilous conditions.
Also Read:- Ben Affleck's Heartfelt Christmas Gesture for JLo Revealed Amid Divorce
- Drake Announces Massive Christmas Giveaway and Avoids Controversial Fan Letter
This human trafficking network's operation had gone unnoticed for a while, but the tragic deaths of Jagdish Patel, his wife Vaishali, and their two children, who were found frozen at the US-Canada border, led authorities to take a closer look. Their death in January 2022 highlighted the dire consequences of such illegal practices and prompted a crackdown. The ED's investigation reveals that Canadian colleges were complicit in this illegal activity by issuing student visas to these illegal migrants.
In response to the ongoing probe, searches were conducted at multiple locations across India, including Mumbai, Nagpur, Gandhinagar, and Vadodara. During these searches, investigators seized Rs 19 lakh in cash and a range of documents and digital devices tied to the fraudulent operations. The ED found that at least 1,700 agents in Gujarat and approximately 3,500 across India were part of this trafficking ring, all working on commission-based agreements with Canadian colleges and universities.
Despite efforts by Canadian authorities to tighten their immigration system, the sheer scale of this fraud and the involvement of educational institutions in the trafficking scheme calls for more robust action. Canada has long been a popular destination for Indian students, with over 400,000 students studying there. However, this scandal serves as a major warning that deeper reforms and better enforcement are urgently needed to prevent further exploitation of vulnerable individuals. Canada must work closely with India to strengthen cooperation, close loopholes, and ensure that immigration policies are enforced with integrity.
This situation highlights the need for greater vigilance in international student admissions. The involvement of Canadian colleges in such trafficking activities tarnishes the country's image, especially when it claims to prioritize integrity in immigration. Given the significant role that foreign students play in Canada's economy, the government must urgently address these issues to restore faith in the immigration process and prevent such tragedies from recurring.
Read More:
0 Comments