RICHMOND, Calif. (Diya TV) — A 73-year-old Indian American Sikh woman has been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in California, prompting protests and calls for her release from family members, community leaders, and elected officials.
Harjit Kaur, a longtime resident of El Sobrante in the East Bay, was taken into custody during a routine check-in with ICE in San Francisco earlier this week. She has lived in the United States since 1992 and has no criminal record.
Kaur’s family said the detention came as a shock. For more than 13 years, she complied with ICE requirements and reported for check-ins every six months. Her asylum case was denied in 2012, but she continued to follow the rules.
Her daughter-in-law, Manjit Kaur, told the family never expected this outcome. “It’s been a total nightmare to find out she’s been detained. We didn’t expect it. She’s been doing ICE check-ins for 13 years,” she said.
Kaur’s granddaughter, Sukhmeet Sandhu, described a painful scene when ICE officers informed them of the detention. “They just said we are detaining your grandma and didn’t give me any other information, didn’t let me see her. And after that, we didn’t hear from her for hours, and when we did hear from her, she was crying and begging us for help,” Sandhu said.
Kaur is currently being held in Bakersfield, several hours away from her family in El Sobrante. Relatives said she sounded distressed during their last phone call. “She was a mess when she called us. We just waited until we heard something from her. We were just shocked and devastated,” Manjit said.
Her family and supporters are pressing for her release so she can return home.
On Sept. 12, community members gathered outside the El Sobrante Gurdwara near Appian Way and San Pablo Dam Road to protest Kaur’s detention. Organizers said the event showed unity and strength in the face of what they described as an unfair action.
“By coming together, we send the strongest message: our community will not be divided. Together, we can help bring Harjit home,” read a statement shared with attendees.
The protest drew Sikhs and non-Sikhs alike, underscoring widespread concern for the elderly woman.
Kaur’s case has gained political attention. Congressman John Garamendi’s office has been in contact with her family. His Richmond representative, Harpreet Sandhu, said they are working to secure her release. “We are making sure that she is released, and if she wants to self-deport, she will have that opportunity,” Sandhu told ABC7.
California State Senator Jesse Arreguin also criticized ICE’s decision in a post on X. “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. I demand the release of Harjit Kaur,” he wrote.
Immigration advocates say Kaur’s detention reflects broader concerns about how ICE handles cases involving non-criminal immigrants. Many community members argue that targeting elderly residents undermines trust and harms families.
Berkeleyside, a nonprofit news outlet, reported that Kaur has lived in the East Bay for more than 30 years. Supporters say her long history in the community should be taken into account.
For now, Kaur’s future remains uncertain. Her family continues to push for her immediate release, while local leaders and immigration advocates keep up public pressure on federal authorities.
Kaur’s loved ones say they want nothing more than to have her back home. Her granddaughter said the family remains anxious and fearful. “She was crying and begging us for help,” Sandhu repeated.
The case has galvanized the Sikh community in Northern California and drawn attention from across the state. As protests continue, Kaur’s supporters are calling on ICE to release her quickly and allow her to reunite with her family after decades in the country.
