Indian arrested by ICE in Los Angeles — 26-year-old had criminal record of grand theft, vandalism

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Los Angeles arrested Parminderpal Singh, a 26-year-old Indian national, on May 21, 2026. Singh is in ICE custody pending removal after being charged with vehicle theft, grand theft, trespassing, and vandalism, according to an ICE Los Angeles statement. The arrest comes amid rising deportation figures, with India’s Ministry of External Affairs reporting that 2,417 Indian nationals were deported or repatriated from the US since January 2025. Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal emphasized India’s stance against illegal migration, stating the government verifies nationality and facilitates repatriation of individuals without legal status upon receiving proper documentation. Earlier in September 2025, 73-year-old Sikh woman Harjit Kaur was deported to India after spending three decades in the US. Kaur, who had unsuccessfully applied for asylum, was arrested on September 8 and held in facilities in Bakersfield and Georgia before being sent to Delhi on September 22. She described poor treatment, including being given only chips and cookies for food, and was unable to visit her US home or say goodbye to family. Kaur’s case reflects broader challenges faced by long-term residents with denied asylum claims. She had filed multiple appeals, including to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, all of which were rejected. The Indian government’s response underscores its collaboration with US authorities to manage deportations while advocating for legal migration pathways. The trend highlights tensions between immigration enforcement and the rights of long-term residents, particularly those who have lived in the US for decades but lack legal status. ICE continues to prioritize removals of individuals with criminal records, while India’s government maintains its position on repatriating nationals without legal standing.