Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA: Paramjit Singh, an Indian-origin entrepreneur who has been residing in the United States for more than three decades, has been in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody for over a month. Singh, a permanent green card holder, has been running his business in Fort Wayne, Indiana, for 30 years. On July 30, he was detained at Chicago O’Hare International Airport upon returning from a visit to India, a trip he makes regularly.
His lawyer, Luis Angeles, told Newsweek that Singh’s detention was unlawful and dangerous to his health since he suffers from a brain tumor and heart-related problems. The attorney explained that the arrest was linked to an old incident in which Singh once used a public payphone without paying. “It was a petty offense, for which he already accepted responsibility, served his sentence, and cleared his dues to society,” Angeles said.
Five days at the airport before being rushed to the hospital
According to his family, after being taken into custody, Singh was confined at the airport for five days. His condition worsened to such an extent that he was eventually shifted to the emergency room. Shockingly, his relatives were not informed about his medical situation until they received the hospital bill.
“As a lawful permanent resident, Mr. Singh should never have been placed in detention,” his lawyer argued. “He followed every legal requirement, entered the country properly, adjusted his status, worked tirelessly to build his American dream, and contributed immensely to his community. Yet, despite doing everything ‘by the book,’ he has been subjected to this injustice.”
‘We are completely lost,’ says his brother
Charanjit Singh, Paramjit’s brother, expressed his family’s distress in an interview with WPTA. He said that although Paramjit has already won his bond hearing, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is creating hurdles to keep him locked up. “We’re just trying to arrange the bond and reach someone who can help us. But no one is responding. We are completely lost,” he said.
