73-year-old Harjit Kaur, long-time California resident, deported to India; family alleges she was handcuffed and shackled
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, September 25, 2025: Harjit Kaur, a 73-year-old Punjabi-origin grandmother who had lived in California’s East Bay for over three decades, has been deported to India after being detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement during what relatives say was a routine check-in earlier this month. Her family and community members, who had staged protests in California following her detention, said she had no criminal record and had complied with periodic ICE reporting for years.
Relatives alleged Kaur was handcuffed and shackled during the removal process, and said they were not allowed to meet her when she was taken into custody. They also said she had been a long-time seamstress in the Bay Area and was known locally for her decades of residence and work.
Community protests erupted in the East Bay after her detention, with demonstrators calling for her release and holding signs such as “Hands Off Our Grandma” and “Bring Grandma Home.” Supporters highlighted her age and health concerns while questioning the circumstances of the detention during a routine compliance visit.
Kaur arrived in the United States in the early 1990s as a single mother and saw her asylum bid denied years later, after which she continued regular check-ins with immigration authorities, according to relatives and local reports. Family members said they were informed of the detention only after the fact and described her as a law‑abiding, long‑time resident deeply rooted in the community.