Indian national indicted for human smuggling; accused of moving people across Canada–US border

An Indian national in New York was indicted for allegedly smuggling Indian nationals from Canada into the United States.The defendant, identified as Shivam, 22, faces one count of conspiracy to illegally bring “aliens” into the United States and four counts of illegally bringing individuals into the country for private financial gain. A federal grand jury in the Northern District of New York returned the indictment Wednesday.According to court documents, Shivam allegedly directed the smuggling operation from January through June 2025, coordinating the illegal transport of individuals across the US-Canada border into Clinton County, New York.The investigation centers in part on a January 2025 incident, when US Border Patrol agents attempted to stop two vehicles traveling in tandem near the northern border. Both vehicles fled, triggering a pursuit. One vehicle went off the road and became immobilized, while the second was later stopped in Mooers, New York. Authorities found a total of 12 undocumented individuals inside the two vehicles.Prosecutors allege that WhatsApp messages between one of the drivers and a phone number linked to Shivam showed repeated coordination of smuggling activities before and during January 2025. The messages reportedly included proof-of-life photographs and directions to safe houses in upstate New York, according to the Justice Department.If convicted, Shivam faces a maximum of 10 years in prison for each count. A conviction on all four counts of illegally bringing individuals into the United States carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a maximum of 15 years.Shivam was initially charged in June 2025 by criminal complaint with one count of conspiracy to transport individuals illegally.