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73-year-old Sikh woman detained by ICE, sparks protests in Bay Area
Community members demand release of Harjit Kaur, a longtime East Bay resident detained during routine check-in.
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Pranavi Sharma - Mon, 15, Sep 2025
- 03:04 EDT
- 12
Harjit Kaur. / X/Amar Shergill
A 73-year-old Sikh woman has been allegedly detained by immigration authorities in California, prompting protests from her family and community members. Harjit Kaur, a resident of El Sobrante since 1992, was taken into custody during a routine check-in with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in San Francisco, according to ABC7 News.
Kaur, who has no criminal record, had been reporting to ICE every six months for more than 13 years, according to her family. Her asylum case was denied in 2012, but she continued to comply with immigration requirements, according to an ABC7 report.
Her detention came as a shock to relatives. “It’s been a total nightmare to find out she’s been detained. We didn’t expect it. She’s been doing ICE check-ins for 13 years,” her daughter-in-law Manjit Kaur told ABC7.
Her granddaughter, Sukhmeet Sandhu, said, “They just said we are detaining your grandma and didn’t give me any other information, didn’t let me see her. And after that, we didn’t hear from her for hours and when we did hear from her, she was crying and begging us for help.”
Kaur is currently being held in Bakersfield, several hours away from her family. Her relatives described her as distressed during their last contact. “She was a mess when she called us. We just waited until we heard something from her. We were just shocked and devastated,” Manjit told ABC7.
On Sept. 12, community members gathered below the El Sobrante Gurdwara, near Appian Way and San Pablo Dam Road, to protest her detention and call for her release. Organizers said the gathering was meant to show unity. “By coming together, we send the strongest message: our community will not be divided. Together, we can help bring Harjit home,” read a statement distributed at the event.
The detention has drawn political attention, according to the ABC7 report. Congressman John Garamendi’s office has become involved, with his Richmond representative Harpreet Sandhu saying, “We are making sure that she is released, and if she wants to self-deport, she will have that opportunity.”
State Senator Jesse Arreguin criticized ICE’s handling of the case on X, stating, “Over 70% of people arrested by ICE have no criminal conviction. Now, they are literally going after peaceful grandmothers. This shameful act is harming our communities. I demand the release of Harjit Kaur.”
Over 70% of people arrested by ICE have no criminal conviction. Now, they are literally going after peaceful grandmothers. This shameful act is harming our communities. I demand the release of Harjit Kaur. https://t.co/jGS9FiJbJI
— State Senator Jesse Arreguín (@JesseArreguin) September 13, 2025
Amar Shergill, lawyer and executive board member of the California Democratic Party Progressive Caucus, also condemned the detention. “She’s 73 years old, suffering in a Bakersfield jail after 13 years of problem-free immigration check-ins. She’s a seamstress paying taxes, caring for her grandchildren, and supporting charities. We are fighting so many cases like just hers across the nation,” he wrote on X.
She's 73 years old, suffering in a Bakersfield jail after 13 years of problem-free immigration check-ins. She's a seamstress paying taxes, caring for her grandchildren, and supporting charities. We are fighting so many cases like just hers across the nation. #FreeHarjitKaur https://t.co/2VBogBE3ti pic.twitter.com/oayYxuQ6md
— Amar Shergill Californiawala (@AmarShergillCA) September 13, 2025
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