The probe, centered around agents based in Gujarat and Punjab, uncovered that these individuals were orchestrating illegal routes to send Indians to the US. Over 4,000 suspicious transactions have been flagged, indicating a well-established network involved in sending people not only to the US but also to Canada as a transit point for illegal entry.
According to sources in the ED, agents have been exploiting loopholes in the education system to facilitate illegal immigration. Many Indians who wish to move to the US are reportedly being given fraudulent admissions to Canadian colleges. Based on these falsified admissions, the individuals are issued Canadian student visas. However, upon arriving in Canada, the "students" never actually attend their respective colleges. Instead, they are smuggled across the border into the United States by accomplices in Canada.
The ED's investigation has revealed that these transactions often involve multiple layers of deception, with agents using different routes and methods to bypass immigration checks. A significant number of the people involved are said to be from rural parts of India, where agents take advantage of desperation and a lack of awareness regarding legal immigration channels.
The revelations come at a time when the issue of deportations has gained increasing attention in India, with a number of Indians being removed from the US for violating immigration laws. These deportations have sparked outrage, particularly given the increasing number of students and professionals seeking better opportunities in the US.
The ED's findings highlight the growing problem of illegal immigration networks that are exploiting vulnerable individuals in the quest for a better life abroad. The agency has vowed to continue its investigation into the illegal immigration syndicate, focusing on the agents responsible and the people who have been affected by these illicit activities.
The revelations also serve as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by authorities in both India and the US in combatting illegal immigration and the unscrupulous networks that profit from it. As the probe intensifies, authorities are likely to take more stringent measures to curb the rise of illegal immigration to the US and Canada.