Aman Kumar, a 31-year-old man from India who is in the United States illegally, was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on May 13 in connection with a hit-and-run accident that left a 4-year-old boy injured in Fresno, California.
The Hit-and-Run Incident
The incident occurred on April 28, 2026, near Peach and Florence avenues. According to reports, the young boy had been playing in a backyard and exited through a gate, entering a bike lane. Police were called to the scene around 8:00 PM.
At the time, the boy’s father and uncle were working nearby and were unaware that he had wandered out of the yard. The child was transported to a hospital for treatment and is expected to survive. Kumar and his vehicle were later located by authorities.
Arrest and Charges
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed that Kumar was initially arrested on April 29 and charged with hit-and-run causing injury or death.
According to DHS, sanctuary policies in California led to his release before law enforcement could fully process the case. On May 13, ICE took him into custody after he appeared in the California Superior Court, Fresno County.
ICE publicly praised the law enforcement personnel involved, stating: “@ICEgov has arrested Aman Kumar, a criminal illegal alien from India who was RELEASED by California sanctuary politicians after causing a hit-and-run accident that injured a 4-year-old boy.”
DHS Statement and Criticism of Sanctuary Policies
Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis condemned Kumar’s actions, calling him a “monster” for almost killing the child and criticising sanctuary policies that allowed his release.
“This criminal illegal alien has been charged with a felony hit and run. Sanctuary politicians in California released him back onto the streets,” Bis said. “Thanks to the brave men and women of ICE law enforcement, he has been arrested outside a criminal court.”
DHS officials also stated that they are contacting California Governor Gavin Newsom and other officials to prevent policies that allow offenders to be released into the community.
Background on Kumar and California Sanctuary Policy
According to dhs.gov, Kumar entered the United States illegally in 2023 and was released by the Biden Administration after his initial arrest.
ICE Director Todd Lyons previously sent a letter to California Attorney General Rob Bonta in February requesting cooperation with immigration detainer requests, highlighting over 33,000 illegal immigrants in state custody with active ICE detainers.
ICE reported that many of those released had been accused or convicted of serious crimes, including 399 homicides, 3,171 burglaries, 1,011 robberies, 8,380 drug crimes, 1,984 weapons violations, and 1,293 sexual offenses.
California officials have disputed some federal claims, stating that the state does cooperate with ICE in cases involving serious or violent crimes.
