An Indian-origin man has been arrested in the United States for allegedly sexually assaulting a minor, according to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).The accused, identified as Vodela Yashaswi Kottapalli, is described by ICE as an undocumented immigrant who is currently in custody pending removal proceedings under US immigration law.In a post on X, ICE said Kottapalli faces pending charges of sexual assault and larceny in New Jersey. The agency also accused him of shoplifting and public disorder.Calling him a “criminal illegal alien,” ICE alleged that Kottapalli sexually assaulted a child under the age of 13. However, authorities did not disclose the date of his arrest or further details about the alleged offences.The arrest comes amid a broader immigration crackdown under US President Donald Trump’s administration. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently released a database of around 25,000 convicted “criminal illegal aliens” arrested by ICE and US Customs and Border Protection, including individuals charged with serious offences.According to Indian government data, over 3,800 Indian nationals were deported from the United States in 2025 as part of the ongoing enforcement drive.—SEXUAL ASSAULT OF A CHILD UNDER 13—SHOPLIFTING—PUBLIC DISORDERVodela Yashaswi Kottapalli, a criminal illegal alien from India, has pending charges for sexual assault and larceny in New Jersey.We’ll keep him in custody pending removal proceedings. pic.twitter.com/VM97e9KUD9— U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (@ICEgov) February 16, 2026