Sikh Grandmother Bibi Harjit Kaur Deported To India: 'Not Even Allowed To Say Goodbye To Family'

Bibi Harjit Kaur, a 73-year-old Sikh woman, was deported to India after being detained by ICE. Her case highlights concerns over immigration enforcement and treatment of detainees, prompting outrage from the Sikh community.

A 73-year-old Sikh woman, Bibi Harjit Kaur, was deported from the United States to India after being detained by ICE on September 8. She faced charges of living illegally in Northern California. Despite her family's willingness to cooperate with authorities, she was not allowed to meet them or her attorney before her deportation.

Kaur's lawyer, Deepak Ahluwalia, shared a video on Instagram explaining that her family was prepared to send her back to India. However, ICE detained her without notifying them. He mentioned that Kaur had been in contact with ICE for 13 years regarding travel documents, but they were never provided.

ICE's Claims and Deportation Details

In contrast to Ahluwalia's claims, ICE stated that Kaur wanted to remain in the U.S. Her deportation involved being transported from a California detention centre to Georgia without informing her family or lawyer. She was flown back to India on a chartered flight.

During the last 48 hours in the U.S., Kaur reportedly did not have a bed and was given only a cheese sandwich on the flight. When she requested her dentures, officials allegedly told her it was her problem. This treatment has sparked protests from Sikh groups who view it as a violation of basic standards.

Sikh Community's Reaction

The Sikh community expressed outrage over Kaur's detention and deportation process. They criticised the lack of communication and humane treatment during her final days in the U.S. The community sees this as an infringement on human rights and has called for better treatment of detainees.

Ahluwalia highlighted that neither he nor Kaur's family were informed about her transfer in handcuffs from California to Georgia. This lack of transparency has further fueled criticism against ICE's handling of such cases.

The situation underscores ongoing concerns about how immigration laws are enforced and the treatment of individuals facing deportation. The Sikh community continues to advocate for fairer processes and humane conditions for those detained under similar circumstances.