Community members gathered Friday night in California’s East Bay to protest the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrest of a 73-year-old grandmother, demanding her release.
Her family said she has no criminal record and that ICE detained her Monday during a routine immigration check-in.
More than a hundred people filled an El Sobrante intersection to protest the detainment of Harjit Kaur. Family members said agents took her while she asked about medication, and now they fear for her health and safety in custody.
“We are a wreck right now,” said Manjit Kaur, her daughter-in-law. “Our family is not doing well right now. Her son — my husband — is not even able to speak… it’s very emotional to have your mom detained and you’re so helpless.”
Relatives said ICE detained Harjit at immigration court in San Francisco during her regular check-in with her granddaughter.
“My sister right here — she was the one who took her that day to check in with ICE. She waited for hours and hours alone until she got the call… she was just in a complete state of shock,” said Sukdeep Kaur, Harjit’s granddaughter.
Harjit moved to the U.S. 30 years ago from India. Her family said she has never faced criminal charges and has complied with immigration check-ins every six months.
“It’s been a total, total nightmare because we’ve been going into ICE for 13 years,” said Manjit Kaur. “We didn’t think anything like this would happen.”
Now the family is pleading with ICE for her release, joined by a community rallying behind them.
“She is not a threat to anyone,” said Sukhmeet Kaur. “She is not a threat to this country. She is a hardworking woman. All we are asking for is for her to be released.”
“We just need her home, she’s a grandma. If it can happen to her, it can happen to any of us,” added Dr. Puja Thakkar, Harjit’s niece.
Family members said they have barely heard from Harjit and fear how she is being treated in the detention center.
“We don’t know what condition she’s being held. Is she getting her medication? Is she getting anything to eat?” said Manjit Kaur. “We just don’t want her to be at a detention center because of the living conditions. She is not doing good, and her health will only deteriorate at a rapid rate if we don’t get her out of there.”
Congressman John Garamendi’s staff attended the rally as well. His office released a statement to KRON4, saying it “will do everything possible to support her case and family.”
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