ICE lodges detainer against Indian national accused of assault in Texas

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has said that US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has lodged an arrest detainer against an Indian national accused for assaulting a woman and her three-year-old daughter in San Antonio.

According to officials, the accused, Atharva Vyas (24), was arrested by local police on April 18 following the alleged attack at a public park.

Law enforcement authorities said the incident began when Vyas allegedly grabbed the woman, identified as Gabriella Perez, by the hair, causing her child to fall. While the woman was on the ground, the child was also assaulted, resulting in injuries, including bite marks and the loss of two teeth, officials said.

Vyas had entered the US in August 2023 on a student visa. Authorities said he was arrested within three months for a felony assault on the campus of the University of Texas, following which ICE was informed. However, no visa revocation action was taken at the time, according to the DHS statement.

ICE has now issued a detainer requesting that local authorities transfer custody of the accused after the conclusion of legal proceedings in the US justice system.

In a statement, Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said the agency is working with local partners in Texas to ensure appropriate action is taken in the case.

Separately, authorities said the individual’s F-1 visa was revoked in April 2025 following his earlier arrest.