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73-year-old Sikh grandmother deported to India after ICE detention, denied basic care

Sep 22, 2025 · Hercules, CA, India

Harjit Kaur, a 73-year-old Sikh woman who had lived legally in the United States for 33-34 years with no criminal record, was detained by ICE on September 8, 2025, following a routine check-in. During her 15-day detention at facilities in Bakersfield and Georgia, Kaur reported being denied basic hygiene supplies, vegetarian meals consistent with her Sikh faith, and water to take with her medication, and was forced to sleep on detention cell floors. She had filed multiple unsuccessful asylum applications and appeals, including to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. On September 22, Kaur was deported to India without advance notice to her family and without being allowed to return home or say goodbye, despite her attorney's requests for release with monitoring or commercial flight accompaniment given her age and medical conditions.

Timeline

Sep 8, 2025Harjit Kaur detained by ICE following routine check-in
Sep 8, 2025Held at detention facilities in Bakersfield and Georgia; reported denied basic hygiene supplies, vegetarian meals, water for medication; forced to sleep on detention cell floors
Sep 22, 2025Deported to India without advance notice to family and without opportunity to say goodbye

Sources

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