New Congressional Caucus to Address Human Trafficking, Drugs at US-Canada Border

Officials say subzero temperatures are not enough to deter illegal crossings

Republican Reps. Ryan Zinke of Mont. (C) and Mike Kelly of Pa. (R), co-chairs of the Northern Border Security Caucus, speak during their introductory news conference at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Feb. 28, 2023. Courtesy of Rep. Mike Kelly's office

A family of four from India were found dead on Jan. 19, 2022, near the Canadian border with Minnesota. The mother, father, and two small children—Vaishaliben Patel, 37; Jagdish Patel, 39; Dharmik, 3; and Vihangi, 11—were not dressed for the weather, but they walked through a blizzard in subzero temperatures and ultimately froze.

A year later, two men were arrested in India for human trafficking in connection with the case, The Canadian Press reported.