Robert Hammer Acting Executive Associate Director, Homeland Security Investigations | U.S. Immigration And Customs Enforcement
An Indian national residing in Santa Rosa, California, Sushil Kumar, was sentenced to six months in prison on March 5 by the U.S. District Court in Seattle. The sentence comes after Kumar's involvement in a conspiracy to smuggle aliens into the United States for profit was uncovered through an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the U.S. Border Patrol.
"Human smuggling poses a serious threat to our nation's border security and undermines the integrity of our immigration system," stated Matt Murphy, acting Special Agent in Charge at ICE Homeland Security Investigations Seattle. He emphasized the need for vigilance and coordination with law enforcement partners to protect borders and prevent exploitation.
Kumar, aged 35, along with three others, faced charges related to smuggling illegal aliens across the northern border of the United States. The scheme involved two incidents that took place in November and December 2023. At the sentencing hearing, U.S. District Judge Tana Lin highlighted that those smuggled were vulnerable individuals charged substantial amounts ranging from $5,000 to $10,000.
Court records reveal that these smuggling operations involved eight Indian nationals. On November 27, 2023, surveillance captured several illegal aliens crossing a fence near Boundary Village Apartments in Blaine, Washington. Five individuals were apprehended by Border Patrol agents after attempting to flee in a minivan driven by Bobby Joe Green.
Three of these individuals identified Kumar as being present at Peace Arch Park before they illegally crossed the border. Communication records showed interactions between Kumar and some aliens via WhatsApp prior to their entry on November 27, 2023.
Further investigations pointed out that Kumar collaborated with Rajat Rajat, aged 26, who orchestrated how these individuals would cross the border and arranged transportation with Green's assistance. In another incident in December 2023, Rajat met three Indian citizens at Peace Arch Park and guided them on how to cross into a vehicle driven by Sneha.
As legal proceedings continue for others involved in this case: Rajat is scheduled for sentencing on April 23; Green will be sentenced on March 13; while Sneha faces trial on May 12 under a superseding indictment but remains presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
The investigation is conducted jointly by ICE HSI and U.S. Border Patrol while prosecution is handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Jin Kim and Mike Dion along with Special Assistant United States Attorney Katherine Collins.
