73-Year-Old Sikh Woman Detained in California; Family Urges Release

Fast Summary

• Harjit Kaur, a 73-year-old undocumented Sikh woman, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during a routine check-in at the San Francisco office on Monday (September 8, 2025).
• She has lived in Northern California for over 30 years after arriving from India in 1992 as a single mother with two sons. Her asylum case was denied in 2012, but she continued reporting to ICE every six months for more than 13 years under supervision.
• ICE took her to a detention center in Bakersfield, despite assuring her earlier that she could remain under supervision while work permits were being processed.
• Community protests were organized on Friday (September 12), led by Kaur’s family alongside groups such as Indivisible West Contra Costa County and the Sikh Center. U.S. Rep. John Garamendi’s staff and other local officials participated.
• Congressman Garamendi criticized this detention as “misplaced priorities” under Trump’s immigration enforcement and pledged support for her case.
• Local Council member dilli Bhattarai and others expressed solidarity with calls for her immediate release.
• The family voiced concerns about Kaur’s health due to pre-existing conditions like thyroid disease, migraines, knee pain, and anxiety.

Indian Opinion Analysis

Harjit Kaur’s detention ignites meaningful discussions around immigration policies affecting long-term undocumented residents with established community ties. Her proactive compliance with ICE protocols over the years highlights systemic inconsistencies where individuals adhering to regulations still face detention risks without prior notice.For India specifically, cases like this illustrate challenges faced by members of its diaspora navigating U.S.’s stringent immigration framework-especially aging immigrants who have spent decades contributing economically or socially abroad but remain victim to policy shifts or deportation risks.

The larger implication lies in understanding how advocacy through cultural organizations can influence political actions globally-whether via demonstrations or engagement with lawmakers-as was evidenced hear with coordinated efforts from Indian-American community groups backing Kaur’s release appeal.

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