(CALGARY) Canadian border officers and city police are searching for an immigration detainee who escaped from Rockyview Hospital in Calgary on the night of Wednesday, November 19, 2025, while in custody for a medical assessment. The detainee, Jagdeep Singh, an Indian national under investigation for suspected involvement in organized crime under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, fled the facility and remained at large as of Thursday, November 20, 2025.
Ongoing search and coordination
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) confirmed that officers are working closely with the Calgary Police Service to locate Singh and return him to immigration custody. Officials emphasized this is an active search operation and urged residents in Calgary and nearby communities to stay alert but not to panic.
Although Singh was being held as an immigration detainee (not a criminal prisoner), authorities say the suspicions of organized-crime links make his escape a serious public-safety concern.
What happened at the hospital
Singh escaped from Rockyview Hospital while undergoing a medical assessment — a routine step when immigration detainees need care beyond what can be given in a holding facility.
CBSA has not released details on:
– how he managed to leave the hospital,
– how long it took staff to notice he was missing, or
– whether he was restrained at the time.
Those details are being withheld because the investigation is ongoing. The agency also has not released Singh’s age, physical description, or the specific organized-crime allegations beyond confirming the investigation falls under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
Public safety instructions (critical)
Do not attempt to approach or detain Jagdeep Singh.
If you believe you have seen him or have information about his location, call 911 immediately.
Do not contact CBSA or police through non‑emergency lines — trained officers should handle any potential contact for the safety of the public and the detainee.
CBSA contact and public updates
CBSA has shared media and public-contact details:
– Media relations phone: 1‑877‑761‑5945
– Twitter/X public affairs accounts: @CanBorderPRA and @CanBorder
– General information about CBSA’s role under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act: Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
CBSA has said the search is a priority but has not committed to a specific public-briefing schedule.
Local implications and security questions
The escape is likely to intensify scrutiny about how immigration detainees are supervised during hospital visits. Key points:
– Immigration detainees are in CBSA custody, not provincial corrections custody, but may need treatment at community hospitals such as Rockyview.
– Security during transfers and hospital care depends on cooperation between hospital staff, border officers, and local police.
– The fact Singh was able to leave the hospital has raised questions in Calgary about how such transfers are handled, though CBSA has not described the exact security arrangements in this case.
Community impact and perspectives
Reactions may be mixed across communities, particularly among newcomers and people with precarious immigration status:
– Some may fear this incident could lead to tighter rules around hospital transfers or stricter controls on already vulnerable people.
– Others worry about unfair association between immigration status and criminality when a detainee is alleged to have ties to organized crime.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, public stories linking immigration detention and crime can heighten anxiety among migrants who follow the rules but feel exposed to broad suspicion.
Health, rights and enforcement balance
This case highlights the tension between public safety, health care, and basic rights:
– Immigration detainees sometimes require treatment at regular public hospitals.
– Hospital staff are expected to provide care without discrimination, while CBSA and, if needed, local police, are responsible for security.
– The escape underscores the human stakes when health care and detention intersect.
Key facts (summary)
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Detainee | Jagdeep Singh |
| Nationality | Indian national |
| Location of escape | Rockyview Hospital, Calgary |
| Date of escape | Night of November 19, 2025 |
| Investigation | Suspected participation in organized crime under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act |
| Agencies involved | Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and Calgary Police Service |
| Public instruction | Call 911 for sightings; do not approach or detain |
Looking ahead
As the search continues, CBSA and Calgary police are likely to face pressure to explain:
– how the escape occurred, and
– what changes will be made to prevent similar incidents.
For now, the central message from authorities remains clear: an immigration detainee named Jagdeep Singh escaped from Rockyview Hospital on November 19, 2025; he is being sought in connection with a CBSA investigation into suspected organized-crime activity; and anyone with information should contact 911 immediately and allow trained officers to handle the case.
Jagdeep Singh, an Indian national and immigration detainee under investigation for suspected organized-crime activity, escaped from Rockyview Hospital in Calgary during a medical assessment on November 19, 2025. The CBSA and Calgary Police Service are conducting a coordinated, active search. Authorities have withheld operational details while the investigation continues and warned the public not to approach Singh; anyone with information should call 911. The incident raises questions about hospital security and supervision of detainees during medical transfers.
