The visiting room of the Mesa Verde ICE Processing Centre in Bakersfield, California, is small, loud, and crowded. When Harjit Kaur's family arrived to see her, they could barely hear her - and the first words they caught shattered them.
She said, 'I would rather die than be in this facility. May God just take me now,' recalled her distraught daughter-in-law, Manjit Kaur.
Harjit Kaur, 73, who unsuccessfully applied for asylum in the US, and has lived in California for more than three decades, was arrested by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials on 8 September, sparking shock and sympathy from the Sikh community across the state and beyond.
Harjit Kaur had filed several asylum appeals over the years which were rejected, with the last denial in 2012, her lawyer said. Since then, she had been asked to report to immigration authorities every six months. She was arrested in San Francisco when she had gone for a check-in.
This troubling incident has raised concerns within the broader context of the Trump administration's crackdown on immigration, particularly targeting undocumented immigrants. California State Senator Jesse Arreguin emphasized that over 70% of those arrested by ICE have no criminal convictions, questioning the morality of targeting individuals like Harjit Kaur, who have made positive contributions to their communities.
US Congressman John Garamendi has submitted a request for Kaur's release, criticizing the priorities of the current immigration enforcement policies. In light of her long-standing ties to the community, numerous protests and acts of solidarity have emerged, reflecting widespread support for Harjit Kaur and condemnation of her detention.
Kaur's arrest highlights the complex issues surrounding immigration and asylum policies in the US, with many calling for reforms that protect vulnerable individuals rather than subject them to detention and deportation. Her family insists she never questioned her deportation and stands ready to comply with authorities if proper travel documentation is provided.
As the situation unfolds, community activists and family members are determined to advocate for Kaur's release and shed light on the implications of such immigration enforcement measures.
She said, 'I would rather die than be in this facility. May God just take me now,' recalled her distraught daughter-in-law, Manjit Kaur.
Harjit Kaur, 73, who unsuccessfully applied for asylum in the US, and has lived in California for more than three decades, was arrested by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials on 8 September, sparking shock and sympathy from the Sikh community across the state and beyond.
Harjit Kaur had filed several asylum appeals over the years which were rejected, with the last denial in 2012, her lawyer said. Since then, she had been asked to report to immigration authorities every six months. She was arrested in San Francisco when she had gone for a check-in.
This troubling incident has raised concerns within the broader context of the Trump administration's crackdown on immigration, particularly targeting undocumented immigrants. California State Senator Jesse Arreguin emphasized that over 70% of those arrested by ICE have no criminal convictions, questioning the morality of targeting individuals like Harjit Kaur, who have made positive contributions to their communities.
US Congressman John Garamendi has submitted a request for Kaur's release, criticizing the priorities of the current immigration enforcement policies. In light of her long-standing ties to the community, numerous protests and acts of solidarity have emerged, reflecting widespread support for Harjit Kaur and condemnation of her detention.
Kaur's arrest highlights the complex issues surrounding immigration and asylum policies in the US, with many calling for reforms that protect vulnerable individuals rather than subject them to detention and deportation. Her family insists she never questioned her deportation and stands ready to comply with authorities if proper travel documentation is provided.
As the situation unfolds, community activists and family members are determined to advocate for Kaur's release and shed light on the implications of such immigration enforcement measures.
