A California resident, Rajat Rajat, 27, originally from India, was sentenced in U.S. District Court in Seattle to five months in prison for his role in a smuggling operation. Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller announced that Rajat was involved in a conspiracy to smuggle non-citizens across the northern border for profit, alongside three others. The charges relate to smuggling incidents in November and December 2023.
U.S. District Judge Tana Lin referenced Rajat's critical role in arranging travel and payments for the scheme. "Mr. Rajat was a mid-level manager of this smuggling scheme, directing noncitizens where and how to cross the border, and even fronting some travel costs for them and for coconspirators," stated Acting U.S. Attorney Miller. "We are committed to working with our law enforcement partners to stop the illegal border crossings that undermine U.S. security."
Documents reveal the smuggling events involved eight citizens of India. On November 27, 2023, surveillance detected individuals scaling a fence near Blaine, Washington. Border Patrol saw five people entering a white minivan driven by Bobby Joe Green, a California resident. When stopped, three of the non-citizens reported seeing Sushil Kumar at Peace Arch Park before the illegal crossing. Investigations pointed to Kumar and Rajat directing border-crossing activities, with Rajat compensating Green for their transport.
Another smuggling event took place in December 2023. Rajat met with three Indian citizens and allegedly directed them on crossing through Peace Arch Park. After being stopped and interviewed, the individuals confirmed agreeing to pay for being smuggled into the U.S. During proceedings, prosecutors described the operation as a "organized, coordinated, transnational scheme." They emphasized Rajat's managerial role, where he paid co-conspirators and organized flights for those involved.
Judge Lin also sentenced Rajat to three years of supervised release, acknowledging the likelihood of his deportation after completing his prison sentence. Other individuals linked to the smuggling activities have received similar sentences. Sushil Kumar was sentenced to six months in prison, and Bobby Joe Green to four months. Sneha, a 20-year-old Indian citizen on a student visa, is set to face trial in January 2026.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations (ICE HSI) and U.S. Border Patrol are overseeing the investigation. Assistant United States Attorneys Jin Kim and Mike Dion, alongside Special Assistant United States Attorney Katherine Collins, are handling the prosecution.
The charges against Sneha are still allegations, and she is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
