Indian among 115 criminals held in US

An Indian is among 115 criminals, fugitive aliens and other violators arrested by United States immigration officials during a five day sweep across America.

The arrested Indian has been identified as Babula Patel. He has been convicted for a sex offence and corrupting the morals of a minor.

The arrests were made in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, York, Pennsylvania, New Castle, Wilmington and Delaware areas by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement department, which is known as ICE. The arrests are part of ICE's ongoing efforts to identify and arrest illegal aliens that have been ordered deported by an immigration judge and have failed to comply with that order, the department has said.

The ICE has said that some of the arrested have a history of criminal activity, including convictions for driving under the influence (DUI),

aggravated assault, robbery and larceny.

"America is a welcoming land of opportunity to millions of immigrants who arrive here legally and live by our laws. Those who come here illegally or violate our laws forfeit their access to opportunity and the privilege of remaining in the United States," Thomas Decker the Director of the Philadelphia Field Office for Detention and Removal, said.

All those arrested are in various stages of the removal process and the fugitives will be immediately deported while immigration violators will await the outcome of their immigration proceedings, the ICE has said.