The extortion epidemic, largely targeting business owners and families in Surrey and surrounding areas, has been linked to organized crime groups operating from India, including the notorious Lawrence Bishnoi gang—designated as a terrorist entity by Canada in September 2025.

These groups allegedly demand exorbitant payoffs via threatening phone calls from abroad, enlisting local “foot soldiers” to carry out arsons, shootings, and other acts of violence when demands go unmet. In Surrey alone, police have reported 106 extortion-related files, 44 shootings, and 76 unique victims in 2025.

The crisis has escalated to what Sikh community organizations describe as a “crisis level” of intimidation and transnational repression, prompting a town hall meeting in Surrey hosted by groups like the Sikh Federation, B.C. Gurdwaras Council, and World Sikh Organization of Canada.

Media reports indicate that Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke expressed strong dismay upon learning of the refugee claims. In a statement released on December 11—the same day police investigated yet another suspected extortion-linked shooting at a local autobody shop—Locke said she was “appalled” that the suspects were using refugee status “to evade deportation.”

From Tricia Leslie’s article in the Chilliwack Progress: “Surrey has been disproportionately impacted by these extortion attempts, and those responsible must face swift justice,” she stated. “Law-abiding Canadians and foreign nationals in our city deserve better than to see our legal and immigration systems abused by criminals to extend their stay in Canada.” Locke called on the federal government to urgently reform immigration and deportation laws, emphasizing that “guests in our country who break our laws need to be sent home.” She highlighted Surrey’s pride in its diverse community but stressed the need for Ottawa to “step up and do their part to keep our residents safe from international thugs and criminals.”

From Stewart Bell’s reporting: According to the CBSA, the suspects—whose nationalities have not been officially confirmed but are widely speculated to be Indian based on the nature of the crimes—filed their refugee claims after the agency launched investigations into their admissibility. 

At present it seems that CBSA has opened 103 such investigations stemming from the Extortion Task Force, a multi-agency effort led by the RCMP and including immigration officers. 

However, the 15 who claimed refugee status have their cases referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB)’s Refugee Protection Division, where proceedings are now on hold pending merit reviews. Experts warn that this could prolong the suspects’ stay in Canada significantly. Vancouver immigration lawyer Richard Kurland told Global News (from Stewart Bell’s reporting) that by claiming asylum, the individuals “just bought four years in Canada, with subsidized health. If they want to go to school, that’s subsidized, and if they need public assistance, that’s subsidized by the taxpayer.”

Kurland also attributed the delays to a backlog at the IRB, which he blamed on federal under-resourcing. Amandeep Hayer, vice-chair of the immigration section at the Canadian Bar Association’s B.C. branch, noted that alleged criminal involvement could still lead to claim rejections on grounds of inadmissibility for criminality.

But here’s where questions arise about CBSA’s handling of the cases: Under Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), individuals subject to a removal order cannot make a refugee claim from inside Canada. Section 99(3) explicitly states that a claim for refugee protection made inside Canada “must not be made by a person who is subject to a removal order.” If the CBSA had issued removal orders prior to the suspects being notified of investigations—perhaps for straightforward violations like overstaying visas or not fulfilling student obligations under section 41 (non-compliance with the Act)—these claims might have been barred outright.Instead, the suspects were able to file claims, suggesting no such orders were in place at the time. This could indicate an oversight, as proceedings might now drag on under section 101 (ineligibility criteria) or be suspended under section 103 if inadmissibility for serious criminality or organized crime is pursued. For instance, section 101(1)(f) renders claims ineligible if the claimant is inadmissible on grounds of serious criminality (punishable by at least 10 years imprisonment) or organized criminality. The CBSA has stated that “persons found inadmissible” for such reasons won’t have their claims heard and will be ordered to leave, but the fact that claims were referred to the IRB implies eligibility was not immediately denied.

While Canada has a legal obligations to asylum seekers it is important to safeguard the system which means only eligible claims should be entertained. 

Critics like Mayor Locke argue this highlights systemic vulnerabilities, allowing suspected criminals to exploit the process. The RCMP has previously linked some extortion activities to Indian government agents, intertwining the issue with allegations of foreign interference.

As Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government pushes to mend ties with India for a potential trade deal, the handling of these cases could test the balance between diplomatic relations, community safety, and immigration integrity. Community leaders are calling for faster resolutions, while many see abuse of a system designed to provide protection to those at risk. For now, the suspects remain in Canada, their fates in the hands of a backlogged IRB, as B.C. grapples with an ongoing threat to its residents’ security.