Maine Border Breach: Two Indian Nationals Arrested for Illegal Entry into US

Two Indian Nationals Arrested for Illegally Crossing U.S. Border in Maine

Two Indian nationals have been arrested near Bridgewater, Maine, for allegedly attempting to cross the United States border illegally, according to multiple reports. The arrests were made on August 1, and both individuals have since been placed into removal proceedings.

Officials said the incident stands out due to the rarity of such apprehensions in the region. “These apprehensions are unique in that Border Patrol agents in Maine have only encountered 15 Indian nationals in the previous three fiscal years,” a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) spokesperson said.

The individuals now face charges under 8 U.S. Code § 1325, which deals with improper entry by non-citizens, and will be subject to deportation proceedings.

“While the U.S. Border Patrol is experiencing record-low numbers of illegal crossings in some areas, there are still individuals who attempt to break the law,” said Craig Shepley, acting Chief Patrol Agent for the Houlton Sector. “If you cross our borders illegally, you will be apprehended, prosecuted, and deported.”

The CBP is currently promoting a voluntary return program for undocumented immigrants, offering incentives for individuals willing to repatriate to their home countries or to another nation willing to accept them.

Separately, on August 2, a U.S. federal judge blocked an attempt by the Trump administration to end deportation protections for nationals from Nepal, Nicaragua, and Honduras. San Francisco-based District Judge Trina Thompson ruled that there was sufficient evidence suggesting racial bias in the administration’s decision and that it had failed to adequately assess conditions in the affected countries before attempting to terminate protections.