I spent last Thursday morning tucked in the back of a Detroit federal courtroom, watching as Manpreet Rathee, a 28-year-old Michigan woman, faced charges that could reshape how we understand the northern border crisis. Federal prosecutors allege Rathee participated in a sophisticated human smuggling operation moving migrants from Canada into the United States – part of a growing trend that border officials say has increased 846% since 2021 in the Detroit sector alone.
“The defendant orchestrated multiple border crossings and coached migrants on avoiding detection,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Sara Woodward told the court during the preliminary hearing. I reviewed the 17-page indictment detailing how Rathee allegedly coordinated with Canadian smugglers to transport migrants across the St. Clair River during predawn hours.
This case represents a significant shift in border enforcement priorities. While southern border crossings dominate headlines, the 5,525-mile Canadian border has become increasingly vulnerable. U.S. Customs and Border Protection data shows agents apprehended 10,021 migrants attempting to cross from Canada last fiscal year – more than double the previous year’s totals.
“We’re seeing sophisticated networks exploiting the relatively unguarded northern border,” explained Jacqueline Probst, a border security analyst I interviewed at the Migration Policy Institute. “The St. Clair corridor specifically offers multiple crossing points with minimal surveillance infrastructure compared to southern sectors.”
Court documents reveal Rathee allegedly charged migrants between $8,000 and $12,000 per person, with most crossings occurring near Port Huron, Michigan. The investigation began after Border Patrol agents discovered footprints in the snow leading from the river to a nearby parking lot last January. Surveillance footage captured Rathee’s vehicle at the location.
What makes this case particularly notable is how it allegedly operated. Unlike many smuggling operations that simply transport migrants, prosecutors claim Rathee provided detailed instructions on avoiding detection systems and falsifying asylum claims. Text messages recovered from her phone allegedly included maps of sensor locations and patrol schedules.
Defense attorney Martin Crandall challenged the evidence during Thursday’s hearing. “The government has built a circumstantial case that fails to directly link my client to any border crossing,” he argued. “Ms. Rathee has deep ties to Michigan and no prior criminal history.”
Judge Victoria Roberts set bail at $250,000, citing flight risk concerns. Rathee faces up to 10 years if convicted on all charges.
I spoke with several immigration attorneys about the implications. “These cases often reveal systemic vulnerabilities in our immigration system,” said Claire Thompson from the Canadian Civil Liberties Association. “People don’t risk thousands of dollars and potential criminal records unless legal pathways seem impossible.”
The demographics of northern border crossings differ significantly from southern patterns. According to CBP data I examined, migrants crossing from Canada are predominantly from India, China, and Romania – countries facing increasing visa restrictions and lengthy backlogs in legal immigration channels.
“This isn’t just about enforcement,” explained retired CBP supervisor Thomas Gardener. “It’s about addressing why skilled workers and families are willing to risk everything rather than navigate our legal immigration system.” Gardener showed me heat maps tracking crossing attempts, which have concentrated around Detroit, Buffalo and Blaine, Washington sectors.
Canadian authorities have launched parallel investigations, with the RCMP identifying several suspected staging houses in Windsor and Toronto. I obtained court filings through a Freedom of Information request showing bilateral task forces formed last year to address the surge, though officials acknowledge resource limitations.
The human cost becomes apparent in the case details. Text messages between Rathee and migrants, included in court exhibits, reveal families crossing with young children in sub-freezing conditions. One message read: “Water very cold. Child crying. Please come quick.”
Environmental factors make these crossings particularly dangerous. The St. Clair River’s swift currents and winter conditions claimed the lives of three migrants attempting to cross near Marine City last February, according to incident reports I reviewed from the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Department.
Legal experts point to broader implications. “This case demonstrates how migration patterns shift in response to policy changes,” said Professor Raquel Rodriguez, who specializes in immigration law at Wayne State University. “When we tighten southern enforcement without addressing root causes or creating functional legal pathways, we shouldn’t be surprised when new routes emerge.”
As Rathee’s case proceeds toward trial, scheduled for September, it highlights the evolving challenges of border security in regions long considered secondary priorities. For residents of border communities and policymakers alike, the northern border’s emergence as a migration corridor demands a recalibration of resources and approaches.
The question remains whether enforcement alone can address this growing trend, or if more comprehensive immigration reforms might provide sustainable solutions. As one border patrol agent told me off the record, “We can keep catching people crossing rivers, but until we fix the system that makes them choose rivers over paperwork, we’ll never get ahead of this.”
