US immigration shock: 60-year-old Indian woman detained during green card appointment after decades of stay

Kaur, who has been living in the US since 1994, was detained on December 1

A 60-year-old Indian woman, who has been living in the US since 1994, was detained on December 1 during a biometric scan for her pending green card application.

Babblejit or 'Bubbly' Kaur has an approved green card petition from her other daughter, a US citizen, and her husband, who also holds a green card, according to Long Beach Watchdog.

Kaur's daughter Joti told News18 that her mother was at the front desk of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office on December 1, when several federal agents entered and summoned her to the room where the agents informed the family of her arrest.

For several hours, the family was unaware of Kaur’s whereabouts. However, they later discovered that she was transferred overnight to Adelanto, a former federal prison now used as an ICE detention centre.

According to News18, Kaur and her husband have three children. Joti (34) has legal status in the US under DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) and her older brother and sister are both US citizens.

Kaur and her husband ran an eatery, Natraj Cuisine of India and Nepal, on 2nd Street in Belmont Shore for over two decades. The News18 report stated that it was  “a cherished part of the Long Beach community.”.

She also worked for 25 years at the Belmont Shore Rite Aid until the pharmacy chain closed its remaining locations earlier this year. Recently, she was preparing to return to restaurant work at Royal Indian Curry House.

In a statement, Long Beach Congressman Robert Garcia said his office was doing everything to bring her home and strongly condemned ICE's move.

"We are going to do everything we can to bring her home. These horrific actions continue to terrorise hardworking and good people who are trying to make our community a better place," Garcia said.

According to reports, Kaur has been allowed to meet family members during restricted visiting hours, though the process reportedly often required waiting an entire day for a brief visit.

“It's been a nightmare... We're trying anything and everything to get her out. She doesn't belong there. It's so inhumane, " Joti told NDTV.

Her family revealed that Kaur is held in a large dorm-style room at Adelanto, alongside dozens of other detainees.