Indian grandmother Harjit Kaur detained by ICE in California, sparks community outcry

Harjit Kaur, a 73-year-old Indian-origin grandmother, was detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Sep 8 during a routine check-in at their San Francisco office.

Kaur has lived in the United States since 1992 and had consistently complied with immigration requirements, attending biannual check-ins for over 13 years following the denial of her asylum application in 2012.

Her family asserts that she had been assured by ICE she could remain in the country under supervision while awaiting travel documents.

Kaur, a seamstress by profession, raised two sons as a single mother and has been an active member of the East Bay community for decades.

She suffers from thyroid disease, migraines, knee pain, and anxiety, raising concerns about her health following the sudden detention. Her family and community members have described the detention as “unjust” and have expressed alarm over the handling of her case.

The incident has sparked protests in the Bay Area, with supporters gathering outside ICE offices demanding her immediate release.

Local community leaders, advocacy groups, and members of the Indian diaspora have called for a review of her case, emphasizing her long-standing compliance with US immigration procedures and her contributions to the community.

Immigration experts note that Kaur’s detention highlights broader concerns regarding the treatment of long-term residents facing deportation, particularly elderly individuals who have established deep roots in the United States.

Legal representatives are reportedly exploring options to challenge the detention and seek her release on humanitarian grounds.

Advocates stress the need for more compassionate approaches in immigration enforcement, especially for individuals like Kaur who have lived in the US for decades and have strong family and community ties.

ICE has not publicly commented on her detention beyond confirming that Kaur was taken into custody as part of standard enforcement procedures.