Weaving together court documents and new reporting, a cross-continental AP team digs into the pipeline of illegal immigration from India to the U.S.
Nearly three years ago, the frozen bodies of a couple and their two young children were found along the desolate U.S.-Canada border. They were part of a group of 11 migrants from India aiming to slip into Minnesota. The father was found holding his 3-year-old son in his arms, a heartbreaking tableau from an often under covered story: the complex — and perilous — pipeline of illegal immigration from India to the United States.
With the trial of two men accused in the human smuggling operation due to start, a global team of Associated Press reporters dug into that pipeline. They used everything from U.S. court documents to reporting in the family’s Indian village to explore the factors driving migration, describe the dangerous logistics and illustrate the last night of the Patel family’s lives.
In the United States, Iowa-based reporter Ryan Foley and Minnesota-based reporters Michael Goldberg and Tim Sullivan combed through court records, sought investigators in three countries and spoke to attorney and immigration experts. In India, photographer Ajit Solanki visited the Patels’ village of Dingucha in Gujarat state, gathering stills and video that animated the story of the Patels and others in their situation. Meanwhile Sheikh Saaliq in New Delhi connected with an investigator who shed light on how the smuggling operation works in India. The result was a powerful story that humanized the family, while shedding light on the sprawling human smuggling operation that involves seeking Canadian student visas for prospects in India, and arranging transportation from Canada into the U.S.
The all-formats package was aided by contributions from immigration reporter Elliot Spagat, whose expertise helped put the story in context, text editor Anisha Frizzell, photo editor Wally Santana and Minneapolis video journalist Mark Vancleave, who also worked with Goldberg to produce a video explainer. The story was among the most read of the weekend, resonating with AP News readers and customers alike.
The judges were impressed by how the team elevated what could have been a standard trial laydown into an enterprising and compelling narrative, weaving together reporting from a multitude of sources — and countries — with facility and making excellent use of the AP’s global footprint. The judges also appreciated the attention paid to a story from the United States’ northern border, often overlooked in immigration reporting.
For reporting that sharply focused on a lesser-known migration pipeline through the lens of the tragic tale of one family, Goldberg, Foley, Sullivan, Solanki and Saaliq earn this week’s Best of the AP — First Winner.
Visit AP.org to request a trial subscription to AP’s video, photo and text services.
For breaking news, visit apnews.com.
Honorable Mentions
