Harjit Kaur, a 73-year-old Sikh immigrant, has been living in California’s East Bay for over 33 years. She was detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during a routine check-in on September 8, causing significant outrage and protests. Kaur, who has no criminal record and has consistently reported to immigration authorities every six months for more than a decade, was taken into custody at the ICE office in San Francisco after being asked to provide additional paperwork. After her detention, supporters gathered in El Sobrante, Contra Costa County, holding signs that read “She’s no criminal” and “Bring grandma home” to advocate for her release.
Kaur has worked for over 20 years at a clothing store in Berkeley and is a regular at the local Sikh Gurdwara, making her a well-loved member of the community. Although her asylum request was denied in 2012, she maintained regular check-ins for over 13 years. Her family expressed their shock over the situation, labeling it an unjust action against a person who has long contributed to society.