Highlights:
- Indian citizen Shivam indicted by a federal grand jury in New York
- Accused of smuggling undocumented migrants from Canada into the US
- Scheme allegedly operated from January to June 2025
- Border chase in January uncovered 12 undocumented individuals
- Faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted on all counts
A 22-year-old Indian national has been indicted in the United States for his alleged role in an organized scheme to smuggle undocumented migrants from Canada into the US across the northern border, federal prosecutors announced in New York.
The accused, identified only as Shivam because his last name is not known, was charged by a federal grand jury in the Northern District of New York. The indictment includes one count of conspiracy to illegally bring non-citizens into the United States and four counts of illegally bringing individuals into the country for private financial gain.
According to court documents, Shivam is accused of directing and coordinating the smuggling operation between January and June 2025. Prosecutors allege that he oversaw the illegal transportation of Indian nationals from Canada into Clinton County, New York, using multiple drivers and vehicles to evade US Border Patrol agents.
The investigation gained momentum following a January 2025 incident near the US-Canada border, when Border Patrol agents attempted to stop two vehicles traveling in tandem in a remote area. Instead of complying, both vehicles allegedly accelerated, prompting a pursuit.
Authorities said one of the vehicles veered off the road and became immobilized, while the second vehicle fled before being stopped later in Mooers, New York. When agents searched the vehicles, they found a total of 12 undocumented individuals inside.
Federal investigators later examined electronic communications linked to the case. According to the US Justice Department, WhatsApp messages exchanged between one of the drivers and a phone number allegedly associated with Shivam revealed extensive coordination of smuggling activities. The messages reportedly included directions, instructions for border crossings, proof-of-life photographs of migrants, and locations of safe houses in upstate New York.
Prosecutors allege the communications demonstrate that the January incident was not isolated, but part of a broader and ongoing operation involving multiple illegal crossings before that date.
Shivam was initially arrested and charged by criminal complaint in June 2025 with one count of conspiracy to transport undocumented individuals. The newly returned indictment significantly expands the charges against him, increasing his potential criminal exposure if convicted.
Under US federal law, Shivam faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for each count. If he is convicted on all four counts related to illegally bringing individuals into the United States for financial gain, he would face a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a maximum sentence of 15 years in federal prison.
The case highlights increased enforcement along the US-Canada border, where authorities have reported a rise in smuggling attempts involving migrants seeking entry into the United States through less monitored northern routes.
Federal officials emphasized that an indictment is an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. Further court proceedings are expected in the coming weeks as prosecutors continue to build their case.
