Who She Is & Her Life in the U.S.
Harjit Kaur, a 73-year-old Sikh grandmother originally from Punjab, India, was recently deported to India after living in the United States for more than three decades.
Kaur arrived in the U.S. in 1991, accompanying her two sons. Over the years, her family says she worked, paid taxes, held a driver’s license, and regularly checked in with immigration authorities every six months—because her asylum case had been denied.
Her appeal for legal status was declined in 2012, but she continued complying with immigration check-in requirements, despite lacking the paperwork to return voluntarily to India.
The Arrest, Detention & Deportation
On September 8, Kaur went for her routine check-in at an ICE office in San Francisco. Instead of being processed as before, she was arrested.
Her family and attorney say that they were not informed before she was transferred in handcuffs—first from California to Georgia—and ultimately deported.
During her detention, Kaur recounts severe hardships: she says she was forced to sleep on concrete floors, denied her medications, was served non-vegetarian food when she is vegetarian, and even denied water to take medicines (given only ice instead).
Her advocate, attorney Deepak Ahluwalia, described her time in custody as “barbaric” and criticized ICE for failing to notify her family and legal representatives.
Return to India & Her Situation Now
Kaur arrived in India on September 23, landing back in familiar territory but with no clear place to stay. She told Indian media she currently lives with relatives in Mohali, not knowing where she will settle long term.
She is distressed by the disconnection from her life in the U.S., where her grandchildren remained. She has expressed a desire to reunite with them, saying her only wish is to be sent back to her U.S. family.
Kaur’s situation has drawn attention in India’s Ministry of External Affairs, which confirmed over 2,400 Indian nationals have been repatriated from the U.S. so far this year.
Questions Raised & Issues Highlighted
- Age & Health: At 73, Kaur reportedly suffers from health issues and previously had surgeries on both knees. Her detention under such conditions raised sharp criticism over the treatment of elderly detainees.
- Due Process & Notification: Her family and attorney say they were not notified about her arrest, transfer, or deportation, denying them opportunity to intervene or say farewell.
- Immigration Enforcement Policy: This case is part of a broader enforcement push under current U.S. policy, which emphasizes strict removal orders.
- Community Backlash & Support: Local communities in her former residence rallied in her support once her detention was known, pointing to her long ties and contributions.
