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Two Indian nationals were arrested after illegally crossing into Maine from Canada near Bridgewater, according to US Customs and Border Protection. They face prosecution under US immigration law and possible deportation. The agency noted such cases are rare in Maine, with only 15 Indian nationals apprehended there over the past three fiscal years. The arrests come amid record-low illegal crossings and tougher immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump.
Over 10,000 Indians, including 30 unaccompanied minors, were apprehended for illegally entering US between January and May 2025. (Image: File)
New Delhi,UPDATED: Aug 7, 2025 14:38 IST
Two Indian nationals were arrested by U.S. Border Patrol agents after attempting to illegally enter the country near Bridgewater, Maine – a rarely used crossing point – the US Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) said.
The Indian nationals illegally crossed the border into Maine from Canada on foot near Bridgewater in Aroostook County last week, Fox 23 reported.
Apprehensions of illegal immigrants crossing into Maine are rare, as per the USCBP. Only 15 Indian nationals were caught in Maine over the past three fiscal years, compared to 10,000 apprehended across all U.S. borders between January and May this year.
The names of the persons have not been released.
"They face prosecution under 8 US Code 1325 and will also be placed into removal proceedings," US Customs and Border Protection said in a statement on Wednesday.
The border management agency said that 15 Indian s have been apprehended by Maine Border Patrol in the last three fiscal years.
Border Patrol agents remain vigilant in patrolling the border and using all the tools at their disposal to execute the mission of establishing the most secure border in national history. Maine has recently hired new Border Patrol agents to support this effort, it added.
ILLEGAL CROSSINGS HIT RECORD LOWS
Houlton Sector Acting Chief Patrol Agent Craig Shepley issued a stern warning amid record lows in illegal crossings.
"While the US Border Patrol is experiencing record-breaking low numbers of illegal crossings, some individuals still attempt to violate our laws. If you cross our borders illegally you will be apprehended, prosecuted and deported back to your country of origin," Craig Shepley said.
Notably, the US has deported 1,563 Indian nationals since January 20 this year, the day Donald Trump assumed office as President for a second term, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said last month.
Data shared by the MEA in Parliament earlier showed that the US had deported 6,135 Indians during Trump's first tenure from 2017 to 2021. The highest number of deportations took place in 2019, with 2,042 Indian nationals sent back.
The numbers stood at 1,024 in 2017, 1,180 in 2018, and 1,889 in 2020.
OVER 10,000 INDIANS ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS CAUGHT AT US BORDERS IN 2025
Between January and May 2025, more than 10,382 Indian nationals – including 30 unaccompanied minors – were apprehended for illegally entering the US.
This was a 70% decrease compared to the same period last year, a decline linked to stricter immigration enforcement under President Trump.
According to US Customs and Border Protection, overall border apprehensions across all nationalities saw a significant decline – from 81,492 in January to 28,617 in February, while it remained over 29,000 in the next three months.
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Published By:
Gaurav Kumar
Published On:
Aug 7, 2025
