An Indian-origin woman detained by ICE during the final stage of her Green Card process has triggered outrage among immigrant rights groups, elected representatives, and the Indian diaspora in the United States. The detention of 60 year old Babblejit “Bubbly” Kaur a long time US resident with no criminal record has raised troubling questions about the conduct of immigration authorities and the treatment of lawful applicants.
Babblejit Kaur, who has lived in the United States since 1994, was taken into custody by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers on December 1 during a routine biometrics appointment linked to her Green Card application. According to Long Beach Watchdog, her permanent residency petition had already been approved through family sponsorship before the incident occurred.
Detained at USCIS Office Despite Approved Petition
The Indian-origin woman detained by ICE was reportedly at the front desk of a USCIS facility when multiple federal agents entered the building. Her daughter, Joti Kaur, said her mother was called into a separate room where ICE officers informed her that she was under arrest without any immediate explanation.
Despite being granted a brief phone call with her attorney, Babblejit Kaur was still taken into custody. For several hours, her family was not told where she had been taken, intensifying panic and distress. They later learned that she had been transferred overnight to Adelanto ICE Processing Center in California a former federal prison now used to house immigration detainees.
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Babblejit Kaur “Handcuffed, Shackled, and Terrified”
Joti Kaur described the detention as deeply traumatic. She said her mother was handcuffed, shackled, and transported in a van alongside male detainees.
“She was really scared. We were nervous something like this could happen, but never imagined it would happen at a Green Card appointment,” Joti told local media.
The Department of Homeland Security has so far offered no official explanation for why the Indian-origin woman detained by ICE was arrested, despite her lawful presence and approved immigration petition.
A Life Built Over Three Decades in America
Babblejit Kaur’s detention has drawn attention because of her deep roots in the Long Beach community. After migrating to the US, her family initially lived in Laguna Beach before settling in Long Beach’s Belmont Shore area.
For over 20 years, Kaur and her husband ran Natraj Cuisine of India and Nepal, a popular restaurant that became a cultural fixture in the neighborhood. She also worked for nearly 25 years at a local Rite Aid until the chain shut down its remaining stores earlier this year. More recently, she had been preparing to resume restaurant work at Royal Indian Curry House.
Her family includes three children one daughter protected under DACA and two US citizens and a husband who holds a Green Card. The Indian-origin woman detained by ICE has no criminal history, according to her family and public records.
Conditions Inside Adelanto Detention Center
Since her detention, Kaur has been held in a large dormitory style facility with dozens of other detainees. According to her family, lights remain on throughout the night, noise levels are constant, and sleep is difficult.Visitation is restricted, often requiring family members to wait an entire day for a short meeting.
“It’s been a nightmare. We’re trying anything and everything to get her out. She doesn’t belong there. It’s inhumane,” Joti said.
Political Pressure Mounts for Release
The case of the Indian-origin woman detained by ICE has reached Capitol Hill. Democratic Congressman Robert Garcia, who represents Long Beach, has publicly called for Kaur’s release. His office confirmed that it is in contact with federal authorities and monitoring legal efforts to secure her release on bond.
Immigration advocates argue that detaining a lawful applicant during a routine USCIS appointment sends a chilling message to immigrant families and undermines trust in the legal immigration system.
Broader Concerns Over ICE Enforcement Practices
Legal experts say the case highlights a growing concern over ICE arrests at or near immigration offices a practice critics argue discourages lawful applicants from engaging with the system.
“This raises serious due process and humanitarian concerns,” an immigration attorney familiar with the matter told local media, adding that arrests during scheduled immigration appointments blur the line between enforcement and entrapment.
An Unanswered Question
As public pressure mounts, one critical question remains unanswered: Why was an Indian-origin woman detained by ICE despite having an approved Green Card petition and no criminal record?Until federal authorities provide clarity, Babblejit Kaur’s detention stands as a stark reminder of the uncertainty faced by immigrant families even those who have followed the law for decades.
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