Two Indians Arrested By ICE In CA, TN Face Deportation

Photos: ICE

India-West News Desk

WASHINGTON, DC– U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has taken two Indian nationals into custody following their convictions in separate criminal cases in California and Tennessee. The arrests were part of a broader enforcement operation targeting undocumented immigrants with criminal records.

Hemant Khann-Kumar, identified by ICE as an undocumented Indian national, was arrested following a conviction in Contra Costa County, California, for an attempted lewd act involving a child.

In a separate case, Rinkeshkumar Kaushikbhai Patel was taken into custody in Bradley County, Tennessee, after being convicted of conspiracy to commit theft involving more than $60,000.

According to ICE, Patel had received a six-year sentence, which was suspended after he served less than a year in jail. “ICE took custody of him from the Bradley County Jail and will hold him pending removal proceedings,” the agency said in a statement.

ICE said other arrests involved individuals convicted of sexual battery and criminal sexual conduct involving minors between the ages of 13 and 15.

ICE said it uses detainers to request that local law enforcement agencies notify federal immigration authorities before undocumented immigrants in custody are released, allowing ICE to assume custody for possible removal proceedings.

The agency said individuals taken into custody may be placed in immigration detention and could face deportation proceedings.