Saturday, March 29, 2025
Ludhiana/Ottawa | March 19, 2026
The Canadian government has intensified its campaign against foreign nationals involved in organized crime and extortion. In a significant move, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has deported two gangsters of Punjabi origin, Arshdeep Singh and Sukhnaz Singh Sandhu, sending them back to India. In a press release issued on March 18, the agency clarified that no foreign national involved in criminal activities will be permitted to remain in Canada.
Arshdeep Singh arrived in Canada in 2022 on a study permit with dreams of a bright future, but he soon became entangled in a local gangster network. Following his arrest in November 2025, investigations revealed his involvement in serious offenses, including extortion, shootings, and drug trafficking. Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) declared him a significant threat to public safety, leading to his deportation under tight security. In the second case, Sukhnaz Singh Sandhu, who had been living in Canada as a temporary resident since 2016, was also deported after being found guilty under the Organized Crime Act.
This crackdown follows numerous complaints from Indian businessmen in Canada who were receiving threatening calls from local gangs. Current data suggests that Canada is now deporting an average of 400 individuals per week who are either staying illegally or are involved in crime. Out of 372 cases currently under investigation by the agency, 35 criminals have already been removed.
To make this campaign more effective, the Canadian government has allocated a special budget of $30.4 million under the “Canada Border Plan” and has initiated the recruitment of 1,000 new border officers. The government aims to deport 20,000 criminals or illegal migrants annually. Background checks for youths arriving on study and work permits will now be significantly more stringent than before.
The deportation process involves several stages: identification by the CBSA, a hearing before the Immigration Board, and finally, the issuance of a removal order. In cases like those of Arshdeep and Sukhnaz, a formal ‘Deportation Order’ is issued, which typically results in a permanent ban on re-entering Canada. Officials warned that anyone attempting to use Canadian soil for criminal purposes will face the same severe legal consequences.
