Boston, Massachusetts, USA: Several convicted offenders, including nationals from India, Ecuador, and Mexico, have been arrested across the United States by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) while federal employees continue to work without pay amid the ongoing government shutdown.
ICE confirmed that its enforcement teams apprehended individuals guilty of serious crimes such as rape, sexual abuse of minors, and drug trafficking. Among those arrested is Varinder Singh, an Indian citizen who was convicted in Boston, Massachusetts, for conspiracy to possess and distribute more than five kilograms of cocaine. The arrests were announced by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
“Even during the government shutdown caused by the Democrats, the courageous men and women of ICE are operating without pay, risking their lives to remove rapists, pedophiles, and drug traffickers from our communities,” stated Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin. “This must end. Democrats should reopen the government so our dedicated law enforcement officers can receive their wages,” she added in the official DHS release.
Other individuals taken into custody include Ecuadorian, Mexican, and other foreign nationals convicted of sexual assault and child abuse in New York, Texas, and Illinois. ICE highlighted that these operations reflect its commitment to protecting public safety despite the prolonged shutdown.
The federal government shutdown, now extending beyond two weeks, has caused thousands of federal employees to be furloughed or to continue working without compensation. The DHS underlined that law enforcement personnel are still carrying out “essential duties,” such as detaining people with histories of violent crimes.
