A 53-year-old Indian-origin woman has alleged harsh treatment after being detained by US immigration authorities in Texas, raising concerns over due process and detention conditions.
Detained at airport, still in custody
Meenu Batra, a court interpreter, was arrested on March 17 at Harlingen International Airport while travelling to Milwaukee for work. She is currently being held at the El Valle Detention Centre in Raymondville, Hindustan Times reported.
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According to her habeas corpus petition, Batra claims she was held for 24 hours without food or water and denied medication for several days. She also alleged that officers asked her to pose for photographs while in handcuffs.
Allegations of mistreatment
In her sworn deposition, Batra said she was stopped by plainclothes agents after clearing airport security, who questioned her immigration status without displaying badges.
When informed of a deportation order, she responded that she had valid work authorisation under "withholding of removal". Recalling the exchange, she said an officer reportedly told her, "That doesn't mean you can be here forever."
Batra further alleged that she was made to pose for photographs in a way that suggested she was still restrained. "This made me feel humiliated and treated like a criminal," she said.
Describing her time in detention, she added, "It feels bizarre. I don't know how else to put it. Here I am just staring at the wall wondering what exactly I'm doing here but also what is anybody doing here."
She also reported falling ill with a respiratory infection and losing her voice within days.
Long-time resident with legal complexities
Batra has lived in the United States for more than 35 years after fleeing anti-Sikh violence in India in the 1980s. She is the only licensed court interpreter in Texas for Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu and has worked in immigration courts for over two decades.
Her legal status allows her to stay in the US under certain protections but does not fully shield her from deportation to a third country. Her lawyer, Deepak Ahluwalia, said authorities have not disclosed any such destination.
Family appeals, government responds
Batra is a single mother of four. One of her sons, who recently joined the US army, has sought parole for her release.
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"I've done a lot for my country... All I ask for my country to do for me is get my mom back," he said.
The Department of Homeland Security stated that Batra has "a final order of removal from an immigration judge in 2000". It added, "She will remain in ICE custody pending removal and will receive full due process."
Officials also noted, "Employment authorisation does NOT confer any type of legal status in the United States."
A federal court is expected to hear her petition, with the government asked to respond by April 21.
