Indian man pleads guilty in cross-border human smuggling case linked to Canada–U.S. route

A 22-year-old Indian national has pleaded guilty in a U.S. court in connection with a human smuggling network accused of moving Indian migrants from Canada into the United States illegally, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Authorities allege Shivam Lnu was involved in a cross-border operation that transported migrants from Canada into New York State between October 2024 and June 2025. Investigators said the network later arranged travel for migrants to other parts of the United States.

According to the Justice Department, Shivam’s role included coordinating drivers, arranging pickups near the border, and housing migrants at temporary locations in northern New York, including hotels in Plattsburgh, located about 100 kilometres south of Montreal.

The investigation became public in January 2025 after U.S. Border Patrol agents stopped two suspicious vehicles and detained 12 Indian migrants. Federal investigators later linked the incident to a broader smuggling operation operating along the Canada–U.S. border corridor.

U.S. prosecutors said Shivam pleaded guilty to conspiracy and human smuggling offences tied to financial gain. He faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 4.

The case highlights ongoing concerns among U.S. and Canadian authorities over organized human smuggling networks using the northern border route. Law enforcement agencies on both sides of the border have increased enforcement and surveillance efforts in recent years.