‘Illegal alien from India’: ICE detains man in New Jersey for alleged sexual assault of minor
New Jersey sexual assault case: Detailing the charges against the Indian national, ICE in a post on X identified the man as Vodela Yashaswi Kottapalli and wrote that he is “a criminal illegal alien from India.”
US immigration news: ICE also posted a photograph of Kottapalli on X with “child rapist” written on it. (Photo: X/ @ICEgov)
US immigration news: An Indian-origin man has been detained by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for multiple offences, including allegedly sexually assaulting a minor in New Jersey.
Detailing the charges against the Indian national, ICE in a post on X identified the man as Vodela Yashaswi Kottapalli and wrote that he is “a criminal illegal alien from India” who has pending charges for sexual assault and larceny in New Jersey.
ICE further stated, “We’ll keep him in custody pending removal proceedings.” The case is still in the legal process, and the allegations levelled by the immigration agency have not been proved against Kottapalli.
—SEXUAL ASSAULT OF A CHILD UNDER 13 —SHOPLIFTING —PUBLIC DISORDER
Vodela Yashaswi Kottapalli, a criminal illegal alien from India, has pending charges for sexual assault and larceny in New Jersey.
— U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (@ICEgov) February 16, 2026
The ICE also posted a photograph of Kottapalli on X with “child rapist” written on it.
What are the charges levelled against Indian national?
The ICE said Kottapalli will remain in its custody for serious charges which remain pending, including:
Sexual assault of a child under 13
Shoplifting
Public disorder
However, the ICE has not shared further details regarding the criminal case against Kottapalli or how long the immigration process could take.
Story continues below this ad
Under US President Donald Trump’s second tenure, ICE has intensified its drive against illegal immigrants who have been residing in the US without proper documents.
More than 3,800 Indian nationals were deported from the United States in 2025, Minister of State (MoS) for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh informed the Rajya Sabha in a written response to a query.
The government also informed locations of Indian consulates in the US and the corresponding number of deportations in 2025, including:
Consulate of India in New York- 47
Consulate of India in Atlanta- 31
Consulate of India in Houston- 234
Consulate of India in San Francisco- 49
Consulate of India in Seattle- 31
“Such deportations are subject to an unambiguous verification of their Indian nationality,” Minister Kirti Vardhan Singh said.
The Express Global Desk at The Indian Express delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis.
A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students.
All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence.
Core Team
The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy:
Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership.
Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage.
Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. ... Read More
Share
US immigration news: ICE also posted a photograph of Kottapalli on X with “child rapist” written on it. (Photo: X/ @ICEgov) 
