(Image source from: NDTV.com)

Six Indian nationals are among more than 300 people arrested by American authorities for criminal activities and violating the country's immigration laws during a month-long crackdown across six states.

During a 30-day enforcement across Indiana, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, and Wisconsin, Federal officers with the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) arrested 364 criminal aliens and immigration violators.

Including India, those arrested during this operation came from 25 countries. Other nationalities included Czech Republic, Colombia, Germany, Ecuador, Honduras, Mexico, Guatemala, Saudi Arabia and Ukraine. Among 364 arrested, 187 had criminal convictions, 346 men, 16 were women and 236 were from Mexico.

From the Chicago area, ICE arrested a 25-year-old man from India in Champaign, Illinois. He was condemned of criminal sexual abuse on July 30 and remains in ICE custody pending his removal.

Over half of the aliens apprehended by ERO deportation officers during this operation had earlier criminal histories that included convictions for crimes such as attempted murder, assault, child neglect, burglary, child sexual exploitation, domestic violence, illegal re-entry, and drug trafficking after deportation.

"This operation targeted criminal aliens, public safety threats, and individuals who have violated our nation's immigration laws," said Ricardo Wong, field office director for ICE ERO Chicago.

By Sowmya Sangam