A three-year-old Texas girl lost two teeth after an illegal alien from India allegedly attacked her at a San Antonio park, and federal authorities confirm the suspect had previously been arrested for felony assault—yet the Biden administration took no action to revoke his visa or remove him from the country.

The Attack at Espada Park

San Antonio police arrested Atharva Vyas, a 24-year-old illegal alien from India, after he allegedly assaulted Gabriella Perez and her young daughter at Espada Park on April 18. Perez told local news station KSAT that Vyas emerged from the woods and began punching her and pulling her hair. When she fell and dropped her daughter, Vyas allegedly attacked the child, attempting to gouge her eyes and biting her face repeatedly. Witnesses who restrained Vyas until police arrived did not know him or the victims. The child suffered serious facial injuries, bite marks, and lost two permanent teeth in the horrific assault.

Biden Administration Inaction

Department of Homeland Security records reveal Vyas entered the United States on a student visa in August 2023. Three months later, University of Texas police arrested him for felony assault and contacted Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Despite this serious criminal offense, the Biden administration determined the assault was not egregious enough to warrant visa revocation or deportation proceedings. Vyas remained free until the Trump administration revoked his student visa in April 2025 due to the prior arrest. ICE has now lodged a detainer requesting San Antonio turn Vyas over to federal immigration authorities after he faces criminal charges for the park attack.

Federal Response and Broader Implications

Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis condemned the Biden administration’s handling of the case in a statement, calling the assault completely preventable. She emphasized that the previous administration should never have released Vyas following his initial felony arrest. The incident has intensified debates over sanctuary city policies and local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. Dallas recently updated its police immigration policy after state officials warned the city could lose approximately $32.1 million in public safety grants. The new Dallas policy permits officers to inquire about immigration status during lawful arrests and share information with ICE when appropriate.

Student Visa Scrutiny Intensifies

The case has prompted renewed examination of foreign student visa programs and their oversight. Texas A&M University alone generated over $106 million in tuition and fees from international students during the 2024-2025 academic year, with substantial student populations from India and China. Critics argue current vetting processes fail to adequately screen applicants or monitor visa holders after criminal arrests. Vyas faces multiple charges including injury to a child with intent to cause bodily injury, assault causing bodily injury, and illegal entry from a foreign nation. Perez described the attack as resembling a scene from a horror movie, stating she never imagined such violence could happen at a neighborhood park.