Agency probing their role in illegal immigration via Canada-US border

More than 250 colleges in Canada along with several individuals are being probed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering case linked to the illegal immigration of Indians to the US from the Canada border.

The ED investigation is based on a case registered by the Gujarat Police against Bhavesh Ashokbhai Patel and others over the death of four members of a Gujarat family who were found dead on the Canada-US border on January 19, 2022. While trying to enter the US illegally, the victims froze to death due to extreme cold. During its probe, the ED has found that the accused have been arranging admission of individuals in colleges based in Canada. “Once the individuals reach Canada, they illegally cross over to the US and never join colleges. The fee received by colleges is remitted back to the individuals’ accounts,” a senior ED officer said.

Indians are “lured” into the racket and charged between Rs 55 lakh and Rs 60 lakh per person. The ED recently conducted a search operation at eight locations in Mumbai, Nagpur, Gandhinagar and Vadodara during which it was revealed that around 25,000 students are being referred by one entity and more than 10,000 students by another to various colleges based outside India every year.

“It is learnt that there are around 1,700 agents based in Gujarat and around 3,500 of other entity all over India. Around 800 of them are active. As many as 112 colleges based in Canada have entered into agreement with one entity and more than 150 with another. Their involvement in the instant case is under investigation,” the officer said.

The agency suspects that out of the total 262 such colleges in Canada, a few, which are geographically located near the Canada-US border, are involved in the illegal immigration of Indians.