Indian woman detained during US green card interview after living in country for 30 years

A 60-year-old Indian-origin woman who has lived in the United States for more than three decades was detained by immigration authorities during the final stage of her green card process, triggering concern among her family and local community leaders.

Babblejit “Bubbly” Kaur, a longtime resident of Long Beach, California, was taken into custody on December 1 while attending a biometric appointment related to her pending green card application, according to her daughter Joti. The incident was first reported by Long Beach Watchdog.

Kaur has been living in the US since 1994 and holds an approved green card petition filed by her elder daughter, a US citizen. Her husband is also a lawful permanent resident, the report said.

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Detained at immigration office

Joti told Long Beach Watchdog that her mother was at the front desk of a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office when several federal agents entered the building. Kaur was called into a separate room and informed that she was being arrested.

She was allowed a brief phone call with her attorney but remained in custody. For several hours, the family was not told where she had been taken. They later learned she had been transferred overnight to the Adelanto ICE Processing Center, a former federal prison now used as a detention facility.

Kaur remains held there as her case proceeds.

Longtime community member

According to IndiaWest, Kaur and her family first settled in Laguna Beach before moving to Long Beach, where they became well-known members of the Belmont Shore neighbourhood.

For over two decades, Kaur and her husband ran Natraj Cuisine of India and Nepal on 2nd Street, which the publication described as a fixture in the local community. She also worked for nearly 25 years at a Belmont Shore Rite Aid until the pharmacy chain shut its remaining stores earlier this year. More recently, she had been preparing to return to restaurant work.

Kaur and her husband have three children — Joti, who holds legal status under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) programme, and two older children who are US citizens.

Conditions in detention

Family members told IndiaWest that Kaur is being held in a large dormitory-style room with dozens of other detainees. They said the lights remain on through the night and constant noise makes sleep difficult.

While she has been allowed visits during restricted hours, relatives said they often had to wait an entire day for a short meeting.

“It’s been a nightmare,” Joti was quoted as saying. “We’re trying everything to get her out. She doesn’t belong there.”

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Political support and legal efforts

Democratic Congressman Robert Garcia, who represents Long Beach, has called for Kaur’s release. His office said he is in contact with federal authorities as the family prepares additional legal filings that could allow her to be released on bond.

ICE has not publicly commented on the specifics of Kaur’s case. The investigation and immigration proceedings remain ongoing.