‘Mind-blowing tragedy’: deaths of Indian family at US-Canada border put visa sales under scrutiny

Many Indians embark on often treacherous journeys to North America through agents who are now the focus of anti-human trafficking officers

The signs are painted on every wall and hang from every lamp-post of this small Gujarat village. Easy Canada visa, student and immigration," states one. Study in Canada, free application, spouse can apply," claims another.

Indeed, in Dingucha, a village in rural west India, almost every house now has a family member either in Canada or the USA. It was a fact they used to proudly shout from the rooftops; but now, the village has fallen silent. Ask people about their relatives in north America - particularly the journey they took to get there - and they shrug their shoulders and walk off nervously.