- By Shivangi Sharma
- Thu, 25 Sep 2025 08:44 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
A 73-year-old Sikh woman, Harjit Kaur, who was living in the United States for more than three decades, was deported to India. Kaur, originally from Punjab, was not allowed to say goodbye to her family before being taken away by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
According to her attorney, Deepak Ahluwalia, Kaur was detained on September 8 in California on charges of living in the country illegally. On Sunday night, she was suddenly transported from Bakersfield to Los Angeles, then placed on a chartered flight to Georgia, later routed through Armenia, and finally sent to New Delhi.
Ahluwalia claimed that Kaur, who had undergone double knee replacement surgery, was handcuffed during her transfer to Georgia and held at a temporary detention facility until her departure on Monday evening. He further alleged that she was denied basic amenities and her attorney or family were given no advance notice.
Long Life In US
Harjit Kaur migrated to the US in 1992 as a single mother with two sons and settled in Northern California’s East Bay area. Over the years, she built her life there, working for more than two decades at a local Indian clothing store. She also became a grandmother, with two grandsons and three granddaughters among her close family.
Though her asylum case was denied in 2012, Kaur continued to report regularly to the ICE office in San Francisco every six months for over 13 years. According to her daughter-in-law, Manji Kaur, she was assured that she could remain in the US under supervision with work permits until travel documents were finalised.
Family’s Shock And Outrage
Her sudden deportation has left her family heartbroken. Ahluwalia uploaded a video on Instagram explaining the experience, stating that even though the family cooperated, ICE provided no chance for Kaur to see her loved ones for the last time. The family reiterated that she had lived in the nation for more than 30 years, had strong community connections, and never caused harm to the public.
Kaur landed at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi on September 23. Her relatives in Punjab have welcomed her back, but her sudden deportation without being allowed to bid farewell has generated anger among immigrant communities in California.