The car was intercepted at Churubusco, New York, just after crossing the border with Canada. (AI-generated illustration)A New York woman has pleaded guilty to helping smuggle four people, including three Indian nationals, into the US after they crossed the border from Canada on foot in freezing conditions in January 2025, the US Justice Department said.The border security agents found out that a woman — 43-year-old Stacey Taylor — drove four men — three Indians and a Canadian — into the United States without permission.US Border Patrol agents stopped Taylor’s vehicle near Churubusco, New York, after four men who had crossed the US-Canada border on foot got into her car.How the smuggling attempt unfoldedIn a media release, the US Department of Justice said the four “illegal aliens” unlawfully entered the United States on foot through a wooded area.Taylor, who received their coordinates and instructions to pick them up, then took them in her car and drove them further into the interior of the United States.“After law enforcement stopped her vehicle, Taylor admitted that she picked up the four aliens and expected to receive payment for doing so,” stated the department.The review of text messages on her phone indicated that she had been involved in multiple other human smuggling operations before.Story continues below this adAfter her January 2025 arrest, Taylor was stopped in a suspected smuggling venture in August and was implicated in another smuggling operation in September, according to the DOJ.She has now pleaded guilty to her involvement in conspiring to smuggle four people (the January 2025 case) for financial gain, and is scheduled to be sentenced on December 3 this year. According to the US Department of Justice, she faces a statutory minimum penalty of five years in jail.The Express Global Desk at indianexpress.com which delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis. A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students. All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence. Core Team The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy: Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership. Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage. Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram