A poignant incident involving 73-year-old Harjit Kaur has sent ripples of shock and sympathy through the Sikh community. Kaur, who has resided in California for over three decades, was arrested by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on September 8th. Her family recounted a distressing encounter in the visiting room, where she expressed a desire to die rather than remain in the detention facility.
Kaur’s asylum applications were repeatedly denied, with the last rejection occurring in 2012. Despite this, she was required to check in with immigration authorities every six months. Her arrest took place during one such check-in in San Francisco.
This event occurs amidst a broader immigration crackdown by the Trump administration. The US is currently facing a significant backlog of asylum cases, with over 3.7 million pending. ICE has become the highest-funded federal law enforcement agency, with a stated goal of deporting individuals deemed a threat.
Critics argue that this policy often targets individuals without criminal records who have followed due process. California State Senator Jesse Arreguin voiced strong opposition, stating, “Over 70% of people arrested by ICE have no criminal conviction. Now, they are literally going after peaceful grandmothers. This shameful act is harming our communities.”
US Congressman John Garamendi has requested Kaur’s release, emphasizing the administration’s “misplaced priorities.” ICE, in response, stated that Kaur had “exhausted decades of due process” and that her removal was ordered by a judge in 2005. They asserted that enforcing US law and judicial orders is necessary.
Kaur originally came to the US in 1991 with her two sons, seeking a stable life after her husband’s death and fleeing political unrest in Punjab. Her lawyer, Deepak Ahluwalia, highlighted that her son is a US citizen, and her five grandchildren are also US citizens. Kaur, a seamstress for the past two decades, has been a taxpayer, and her work permit was consistently renewed even after her last asylum appeal was rejected.
The process for obtaining travel documents for India has proven difficult for Kaur. Despite visiting the Indian consulate in 2013, no success was achieved. The consulate claims no record of her application for travel documents, while ICE has not provided reasons for not securing these documents over the past 13 years.
Kaur’s family and lawyer are actively pursuing the necessary documents, with the family ready to facilitate her departure once they are provided. Allegations have also surfaced regarding the conditions of her detention, including lack of medication and mistreatment by guards, which ICE has stated they do not generally comment on but maintain that detainees receive full healthcare.
Community members, like Kulvinder Singh Pannu, president of The Sikh Centre in San Francisco Bay Area, describe Kaur as a well-loved and helpful figure. Protests have been organized in her support, and further demonstrations are planned, reflecting the deep emotional impact of her situation.