U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services said two brothers from India were taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement after appearing for a refugee/asylee family petition interview at a USCIS office in San Jose, California.
USCIS said one brother had multiple felony firearms charges and reckless driving offenses, while the other had prior firearm offenses and a previous arrest in connection with a major vehicle theft operation. The agency said its San Jose staff conducted thorough vetting before the men were taken into custody.
Last month, USCIS cited a separate case involving a Nepali applicant who was arrested after officers discovered an active warrant during a routine biometrics appointment and coordinated with local law enforcement. USCIS said the applicant was wanted for possession of child pornography and was apprehended pending criminal proceedings.
In the San Francisco area, at least 539 people were arrested at routine immigration appointments—including biometrics, check-ins, and interviews—during the first nine months of the administration, according to reporting cited by Mission Local.
Nationwide, USCIS and ICE reported 26 arrests across multiple field offices over a two-week period in mid-2025, including locations handling asylum cases, while attorneys in San Diego documented a separate cluster of arrests during a peak week in late 2025.
USCIS says its screening process—including biometric fingerprinting, database checks, and interview vetting—can uncover outstanding warrants, criminal convictions, and other public safety concerns before an immigration case moves forward.
Kishor Panthi
View More PostsKishor Panthi is the founder and editor-in-chief of Khasokhas and NepYork. He is the author of three books, “Kampan,” "UNTRANSLATABLE" and “Zero Mile.” He writes about social issues, immigration, and politics.
