73-Year-Old Sikh Woman Detained in California Sparks Protests

A 73-year-old Sikh woman, Harjit Kaur, has been detained by immigration authorities in California after attending a routine check-in with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Her detention has sparked concern among her family, the local Sikh community, and broader public groups who are now calling for her immediate release.

Harjit Kaur has lived in the East Bay region of Northern California for more than 30 years. She was asked to report to the ICE office in San Francisco earlier this week to submit additional paperwork. What began as a normal, scheduled check-in unexpectedly led to her detention.

According to reports, she was subsequently taken to a detention center in Bakersfield. The incident has prompted a wave of protests and community action to support her release.

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Harjit Kaur’s Background

Harjit Kaur came to the United States from India in 1992 as a single mother with two young sons. Her asylum application was denied in 2012, yet she has continued to follow all the rules set by ICE. For more than 13 years, she has regularly reported to ICE every six months as required, showing her commitment to comply with U.S. immigration laws.

Her daughter-in-law, Manji Kaur, emphasized that Harjit Kaur has “faithfully reported” to ICE over the years and has been a law-abiding resident of the United States. Despite being undocumented, she was allowed to remain in the country under supervision with work permits until ICE could process her travel documents.

Community Protests and Support

Following her detention, Harjit Kaur’s family, along with hundreds of supporters from the Sikh community, organized a protest on Friday. The protest was aimed at demanding her immediate release and highlighting her decades-long contribution to the community.

The protest was organized in collaboration with Indivisible West Contra Costa County and the Sikh Centre. It drew participation from members of U.S. Representative John Garamendi’s staff, local elected officials, and other political leaders.

Congressman Garamendi, whose office submitted an inquiry to ICE regarding Harjit Kaur’s detention, condemned the action. In a statement, he said: “President Trump initially promised to go after the ‘worst of the worst’ in his immigration policy. Yet this administration’s decision to detain a 73-year-old woman — a respected member of the community with no criminal record who has faithfully reported to ICE every six months for more than 13 years — is one more example of the misplaced priorities of Trump’s immigration enforcement.”

Local council member Dilli Bhattarai also voiced his support, emphasizing that Harjit Kaur has lived peacefully in the community for decades and has contributed positively. He said that she has every right to be in the community and called for her immediate release.

Family Concerns About Health and Safety

Harjit Kaur’s family has expressed serious concerns about her health and well-being while in detention. At 73 years old, she has multiple health conditions, including thyroid disease, migraines, knee pain, and anxiety. Her family fears that prolonged detention could pose severe risks to her life.

Her granddaughter, Sukhdeep Kaur, described Harjit Kaur as “independent, selfless, and hard-working.” She highlighted that her grandmother is considered a “mother figure” in their community and has been a role model for younger generations.

Harjit Kaur has worked for over 20 years at a local Indian clothing store. She is surrounded by a large family, including two grandsons and three granddaughters, who are deeply concerned about her well-being.

ICE and Immigration Policies

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has faced criticism in recent years for detaining older immigrants with no criminal records. In Harjit Kaur’s case, despite her long history of compliance with immigration procedures, she was still taken into custody. ICE officials had previously assured her that she could remain in the United States under supervision and with work permits until her travel documents were processed.

The incident has raised questions about the priorities of the current immigration enforcement policies. Critics argue that detaining elderly, law-abiding residents diverts resources from focusing on serious threats and criminal activities.

Political Reactions

Several political leaders and community figures have spoken out against the detention. Congressman John Garamendi’s office has formally requested ICE to reunite Harjit Kaur with her family, stressing her age, her health, and her long-term contributions to the community.

Council member Dilli Bhattarai has called for the local government to explore all possible measures to apply pressure on federal authorities for her release. He stressed that Harjit Kaur poses no threat and should be treated with compassion and fairness.

Community Impact and Solidarity

The detention of Harjit Kaur has united the local Sikh community and other community groups. Hundreds of residents joined the protests to show solidarity and demand justice. The message is clear: elderly immigrants who follow the law and contribute positively to society deserve protection, respect, and support.

Harjit Kaur’s story also highlights the human side of immigration enforcement. Families, health concerns, and decades of community contribution are factors that residents feel should be considered before detaining someone who has lived in the U.S. for so long.

The Larger Picture

Harjit Kaur’s detention is not an isolated incident. It reflects ongoing challenges faced by many undocumented immigrants in the U.S., especially older residents who have no criminal record and have lived quietly within their communities for decades.

Advocates argue that immigration policies should focus on serious criminals and threats to public safety rather than elderly residents who have consistently complied with the law. Harjit Kaur’s case underscores the need for a more humane approach, particularly for senior citizens and vulnerable individuals.

Family Hopes for Release

Harjit Kaur’s family remains hopeful that public support and political advocacy will lead to her release. They continue to appeal to ICE and local authorities, stressing her age, her good health history, and her consistent compliance with immigration requirements.

The community has also mobilized to raise awareness, organize events, and ensure that her story reaches a wider audience. The protests and advocacy efforts aim to protect Harjit Kaur, restore her freedom, and set a precedent for how elderly, law-abiding immigrants are treated in the U.S.

Harjit Kaur’s detention has touched the hearts of many in California and beyond. A 73-year-old woman who has faithfully reported to ICE for over 13 years, lived peacefully in her community, and contributed positively to society is now facing uncertainty and hardship.

Her family, the Sikh community, political leaders, and local residents are united in calling for her immediate release. They hope this case will bring attention to the human side of immigration enforcement and encourage policies that treat elderly, law-abiding immigrants with compassion, dignity, and respect.

As the protests continue and advocacy grows, many are watching closely to see how ICE responds and whether Harjit Kaur will soon be reunited with her family.