Timeline

What happened: Kaur immigrated to the US in 1991. She applied for asylum multiple times, with her last denial in 2012. She reported to ICE regularly for over 13 years.
What's happening now: Kaur was detained on September 8, 2025, and deported on September 22, 2025. Protests have erupted in California demanding her return.
What's next: Kaur's family plans to visit her in India. The case is expected to intensify discussions on US immigration reform and humanitarian considerations.

Different Perspectives

Harjit Kaur: Expressed trauma and distress, stating she was treated poorly and wished to return to her family in the US.
Family and Community: Described Kaur as hardworking and a mother figure, organizing protests against her deportation and calling for her return.
ICE: Stated Kaur was ordered to leave the country in 2005 and had lost all appeals, defending her arrest as not unjust and criticizing media coverage.
Ministry of External Affairs (India): Confirmed the deportation, noting India facilitates the return of its citizens but does not support unlawful migration.

What You Need to Know

Harjit Kaur, 73, was deported to India after 30 years in the US.
She arrived in 1991 seeking refuge and made multiple asylum claims, all denied.
Detention conditions were reportedly harsh, with alleged denial of medication and appropriate food.
ICE maintains her deportation was legally justified due to court orders and lost appeals.
Over 2,400 Indian nationals have been deported from the US in 2025.

Regional Perspective

In the US, Kaur's deportation from California has sparked outrage and protests, highlighting the deep divisions over immigration policy and the human impact of enforcement actions. For India, this case is one among thousands of repatriations, underscoring the challenges faced by returning citizens who may lack established ties or resources in their home country after long absences.

Why This Matters

The story brings a human face to the often-impersonal statistics of immigration enforcement.
It raises critical questions about compassion, due process, and the treatment of elderly individuals within the immigration system.
The case fuels the ongoing national debate on immigration reform in the United States.

What to Watch

Potential legal challenges or advocacy efforts by Kaur's family and supporters.
Changes in ICE detention protocols or enforcement priorities regarding vulnerable populations.
The ongoing political discourse on immigration reform in the US Congress.