US immigration authorities hold Indian national on sexual assault charge

Jaspal Singh, a 29-year-old Indian national, was arrested in Tukwila, Washington, on January 29, on charges of "assault with sexual motivation" amidst a broader U.S. immigration crackdown. The arrest occurred during a period of heightened immigration enforcement under US President Donald Trump's administration.

Arrest Details and Charges

Singh's arrest was part of a larger operation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Washington state. ICE reported that Singh was charged with assault with sexual motivation. The arrest was confirmed in a news release by ICE Seattle. Alongside Singh, three other individuals from Mexico, Guatemala, and El Salvador were also arrested on similar charges. All four individuals will remain in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.

ICE Statement

Drew Bostock, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Seattle Field Office Director, stated that protecting communities and preventing victimization is of paramount importance. He added that these arrests send a message that illegal criminal threats will not be tolerated. The arrests occurred during a period when the U.S. government, under President Trump, was actively pushing to remove illegal immigrants. Since Trump's inauguration on January 20, over 8,000 people have been arrested by federal immigration authorities. Furthermore, the United States has notified India about 487 presumed Indian nationals who were issued removal orders.

Concerns Over Mistreatment

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri addressed allegations of mistreatment of deportees, calling it a valid concern. The government intends to raise the issue with U.S. authorities and take action against the ecosystem promoting illegal immigration