Two Indians arrested for entering US on foot from Maine border, CBP says, 'The message is clear'

The US Customs and Border Protection arrested two Indian nationals who illegally crossed the international border on foot earlier this month. Without revealing their details, the CBPO said they will now be prosecuted and deported to India. But it mentioned that the arrests were unique because only 15 Indians have been arrested in the last three years trying to enter the US from Maine.

Maine has the longest border with Canada to the east of the Great Lakes.

"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," the CBP said.

Houlton Sector Acting Chief Patrol Agent Craig Shepley said the US Border Patrol is experiencing record-breaking low numbers of illegal crossings but some individuals are still doing it. "If you cross our borders illegally you will be apprehended, prosecuted and deported back to your country of origin,” he said.

"The message is clear: If you enter the United States illegally, you will be apprehended, and the appropriate consequences will be enforced under the law," the CBP said, adding that illegal aliens should self-deport to avoid being arrested. "Any individual who uses the app and confirms their departure through it will receive a $1,000 stipend," the CBP said.

Since the beginning of the fiscal year in October 2024, Border Patrol agents in Maine have arrested 557 people through July.