A Nigerian national who worked as a canvasser for a Democratic congressional campaign in Pennsylvania, United States, has been arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after pleading guilty to a disorderly conduct charge linked to an alleged public exposure incident.
The US Department of Homeland Security disclosed this in a statement issued on October 7, identifying the man as Chimaobim Adedayo Igbojekwe.
According to the department, Igbojekwe was arrested in East Pennsboro Township, Pennsylvania, on September 27 over alleged indecent exposure and disorderly conduct.
“Igbojekwe was arrested in East Pennsboro Township, Pennsylvania, on September 27 for alleged indecent exposure and disorderly conduct. He pleaded guilty to the disorderly conduct charge,” the statement said.
The department added that ICE took him into custody on October 1, following his conviction.
Igbojekwe was reportedly working as a canvasser for Janelle Stelson, the Democratic nominee for Pennsylvania’s 10th Congressional District, when the incident occurred.
Citing local media reports, the Department of Homeland Security said he was found in a residential neighbourhood near a park with his trousers off and exposing himself, while residents, including children, were present.
ICE criticises Democratic candidate
Reacting to the incident, ICE Deputy Director Charles Wall criticised Stelson for employing Igbojekwe on her campaign.
“It’s unbelievable that Janelle Stelson would employ an illegal alien to work on a Congressional campaign, let alone a pervert who exposed himself in public,” Wall said.
“Every single day, the men and women of DHS are working hard to target and remove dangerous illegal aliens like this sicko from our communities.
“The Trump Administration will always put the safety of the American people first,” he added.
Wall’s comments reflected the department’s position on the case and the administration’s immigration enforcement policy.
Nigerian’s immigration history
The Department of Homeland Security said Igbojekwe was lawfully admitted to the United States in June 2017 but remained in the country after his authorised period of stay expired in November 2019.
It added that he was granted deferred action by the administration of former President Joe Biden in September 2021.
Deferred action generally postpones immigration enforcement action for a specified period but does not, by itself, confer lawful immigration status.
The department did not provide further details about the current status of Igbojekwe’s immigration proceedings.