Indian immigrant woman released after six-week ICE detention, fears re-arrest
Dec 15, 2025·Location: Hercules, CA
Country of origin: India
DetainmentUse of ForceUnlawful Arrest/EntryFamilyPublic Space/StreetAsian/Pacific IslanderIn DetentionCalifornia

Meenu Batra, a 50-year-old Indian immigrant living in Texas since 1991, was detained by ICE agents at an airport on March 17, 2026, while traveling to Wisconsin for work as a court interpreter. She had been granted court protection against deportation in 2000 due to persecution concerns and was authorized to work legally in the US. After more than six weeks in detention, Batra was released when a court questioned the legality of her detention. She reported experiencing dehumanization during her time in custody and expressed ongoing fear of re-arrest.
Sources
- Meenu Batra: Indian-origin Meenu Batra living in US for 35 years detained by ICE: 'That doesn’t mean you can be here forever' - The Times of India
- 'I hate to admit it...': Indian-origin Texas woman Meenu Batra says she is afraid she could be arrested again - The Times of India
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