By Lalit K Jha
An Indian national was among several convicted criminals arrested across the United States by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as agents continued working without pay during the federal government shutdown, now in its 16th day.
ICE said its enforcement teams apprehended individuals convicted of serious crimes, including rape, child sexual abuse, and drug trafficking. The arrests, announced by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), include Varinder Singh, an Indian citizen convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine in Boston, Massachusetts.
“Despite the Democrats’ government shutdown, the brave men and women of ICE are working WITHOUT PAY and are STILL risking their lives to remove rapists, pedophiles and drug traffickers off of our streets,” said Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin.
“Enough is enough. Democrats need to reopen the government, so our brave law enforcement can be paid,” she said in the official DHS statement.
Other arrests include Ecuadorian, Mexican, and other nationals convicted of rape and child abuse in New York, Texas, and Illinois. ICE said the operations demonstrate its commitment to public safety despite the ongoing funding impasse.
The shutdown, now more than two weeks long, has left thousands of federal employees furloughed or working without pay. DHS emphasised that law enforcement officers are still performing “essential duties,” including detaining individuals with violent criminal histories.
[5WH/VS]
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