Harjit Kaur, a 73-year-old Sikh grandmother and long-standing member of the East Bay community in Northern California, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during a routine check-in earlier this week, sparking widespread anger and protests from the Sikh community and local leaders. Ms. Kaur arrived in the United States from India in 1992 as a single mother of two and has lived in Northern California for over 30 years, faithfully reporting to ICE every six months for more than 13 years after her asylum was denied in 2012. Despite assurances from ICE that she could remain in the country under supervision with work permits while her travel documents were processed, she was taken into detention on Monday following a request to submit additional paperwork at the San Francisco office and subsequently transferred to a detention center in Bakersfield.

Her detention has rattled the community where she had worked over two decades at a local Indian clothing store and was regarded as a mother figure by many. Her granddaughter described her as “independent, selfless, and hard-working,” emphasizing the shock and distress her family and community feel. Her relatives are deeply concerned about her health, citing thyroid disease, migraine, knee pain, and anxiety, and warn that detention under such conditions might pose serious risks to her well-being.

The arrest prompted a large protest on Friday, organized by Kaur’s family alongside groups including Indivisible West Contra Costa County and the Sikh Centre, drawing hundreds of supporters who called for her immediate release. Demonstrators held placards urging “Bring Grandma Home,” highlighting the perceived injustice of detaining an undocumented immigrant with no criminal record who has complied with immigration requirements for over a decade.

Local political figures have also voiced their support. U.S. Representative John Garamendi criticized the detention as an example of misplaced immigration enforcement priorities, stating, “This administration’s decision to detain a 73-year-old woman—who has faithfully reported to ICE every six months for over 13 years—is yet another manifestation of policies that fail to target the truly dangerous.” His office has formally inquired with ICE to seek her release. Similarly, East Bay City Council member Dilli Bhattarai reiterated that Kaur “is not doing any harm to the community” and called for collective efforts to secure her freedom, affirming her right to live as a contributing member of society.

The case exposes the growing tension between enforcement-focused immigration policies and the realities faced by long-time undocumented residents who have built meaningful lives in the U.S. Experts argue that such actions deepen fears among immigrant communities and highlight inconsistencies in prioritizing resources toward arresting people without criminal records or posing security risks.

In summary, the arrest of Harjit Kaur raises critical questions about the application of U.S. immigration enforcement, especially regarding elderly immigrants who have maintained compliance with government requirements. The community and advocates are rallying to push for her swift release and are calling for reforms to balance enforcement with humanity and fairness. Follow-up efforts include continued legal appeals, community advocacy, and political engagement to prevent similar incidents and ensure protections for vulnerable members of immigrant communities.

This story remains a poignant example of how immigration enforcement decisions impact individuals, families, and communities, underscoring the urgent need for compassionate reform.