Ahmedabad: The inclusion of 21 Gujaratis in a United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) list of the “worst of the worst” criminal aliens has cast a spotlight on the darker side of illegal migration from Gujarat to the US. Released on Feb 7, the country-wise database lists 89 Indian nationals arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), with Gujaratis accounting for nearly 25% of the total.Officials said the list forms part of intensified enforcement action by DHS and ICE aimed at deporting illegal immigrants convicted of serious crimes. Of the 21 Gujaratis named, most of them are from north and central Gujarat districts. Sources said that as many as 15 detainees were involved in money laundering, fraud, identity theft and other financial crimes, many of which allegedly targeted elderly US citizens. Two individuals face convictions for sexual offences involving minors, while others are booked for drug trafficking, domestic violence, robbery and dealing in stolen property.The profiles point to a pattern of organised financial crime rather than isolated violations. Several individuals, including Avi Patel, Brijeshkumar Patel and Sagarkumar Patel, were convicted in money laundering or fraud cases across states such as Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Kentucky. Investigators believe such crimes often operate through networks that exploit immigration loopholes, forged identities and mule accounts to move illicit funds.Law enforcement sources said elderly citizens are frequent targets in fraud cases, which include phone scams, false statements, identity theft and mail fraud. “These offences are not opportunistic. They involve planning, coordination and repeat targeting,” a US official said in a statement accompanying list of criminal aliens released by the DHS.More disturbing were cases related to sexual offences. Bhaveshkumar Shukla, Hardikkumar Patel, Mayurkumar Patel and Chintan Bhojak were among those convicted of sexual assault or online exploitation and enticement of minors. DHS flagged such cases as high priority for deportation due to serious public safety concerns.Drug-related convictions also feature on the list, with Nileshkumar Patel booked for drug trafficking and Dilip Patel convicted for cocaine possession and disorderly conduct. Others were convicted for receiving or dealing in stolen property across multiple US states, indicating movement between jurisdictions.Underlining the ongoing crackdown, the DHS database states that under its current leadership, ICE was carrying out mass deportations “starting with the worst of the worst”, in line with the US administration’s stated commitment to strict immigration enforcement.For Gujarat, the list serves as a sobering reminder that illegal migration was not only about economic distress or perilous border crossings. Experts say it also highlights how undocumented migrants can become vulnerable to, or actively participate in, organised criminal activities.Central agency officials said the development could lead to closer scrutiny of human smuggling routes, forged documents and money trails linking the US and India. “The reputational cost is high,” a senior officer said. “These cases reinforce why illegal migration and associated crime must be addressed at the source.”
