California, USA: Harjit Kaur, aged 73, was sent back to India after reportedly facing harsh conditions in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody, according to the Sikh Coalition and SALDEF, who are calling for accountability from U.S. authorities.
Harjit Kaur, a 73-year-old Sikh woman, was deported to India after advocacy organisations and her lawyer described her treatment in ICE custody as “inhumane.” Sikh groups across the United States condemned the manner in which her case was handled and demanded accountability from immigration authorities.
Kaur, a grandmother who had been residing in California for over thirty years, had regularly complied with ICE check-ins in Hercules, California, for 13 years. On September 8, she was detained during a routine appointment and taken to the Mesa Verde ICE Processing Centre in Bakersfield, California. She was later transferred to a detention centre in Lumpkin, Georgia, and eventually placed on a charter flight to India on September 19.
Her attorney, Deepak Ahluwalia, stated that neither her family nor her legal team were informed about her transfer to Georgia. “Ms Harjit Kaur waited more than 13 years for ICE to arrange her travel documents. A 73-year-old grandmother with no criminal record, who posed no flight risk or threat to the community, should never have been detained—let alone subjected to the treatment she endured in ICE custody,” he said.
The Sikh Coalition highlighted that Kaur’s detention involved numerous violations of basic care standards. She was reportedly shackled during transport, confined in cells without beds or chairs, denied vegetarian meals consistent with her religious beliefs, and at times provided only an apple or ice despite having dental issues. She was allegedly also denied access to showers, drinking water, hygiene supplies, and experienced delays in receiving prescribed medication.
In a statement, the Sikh Coalition said, “It is appalling that any individual should face such treatment, and especially disturbing that a 73-year-old woman was forced to endure it.”
SALDEF Speaks Out
The Sikh American Legal Defence and Education Fund (SALDEF) also condemned ICE’s actions. “This case underscores the urgent need for humane treatment and accountability within our immigration system,” stated SALDEF Executive Director Kiran Kaur Gill. “No person should experience such degrading treatment, particularly someone who has faithfully complied with ICE requirements for more than a decade.”
Heeral Mehta, a family friend, explained that the family was kept largely uninformed throughout the ordeal. “At every stage, we had no information and were unaware of what would happen next. ICE’s mistreatment of her was deeply troubling, but her resilience—combined with strong support from SALDEF, Deepak Ahluwalia, the Sikh Coalition, Jakara, Congressman Garamendi, and Harpreet Sandhu—helped her persevere.”
SALDEF emphasised that it collaborated with elected officials and community organisations to advocate for Kaur’s safety and dignity during both her detention and deportation.
Both SALDEF and the Sikh Coalition noted that Kaur’s situation highlights wider systemic problems in immigration enforcement, particularly concerning elderly and vulnerable detainees. They committed to pursuing reforms to ensure such incidents do not recur.
