Indian-Origin Woman Detained by ICE During Green Card Appointment Triggers Community Concern

The detention of an Indian-origin woman by U.S. immigration authorities during a routine Green Card appointment has sparked concern among residents and immigrant advocacy groups in Long Beach, California.

Babblejit “Bubbly” Kaur, a 60-year-old restaurant worker, was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers on December 1 while attending a biometrics appointment in Los Angeles. According to her family, the appointment was part of the final stage of her permanent residency process.

Family members said several federal agents entered the office without prior notice and escorted Kaur away. She was reportedly restrained and transported in a government vehicle. Relatives said they were not informed of her whereabouts for several hours and later learned she had been transferred to an immigration detention facility in Los Angeles.

Kaur has lived in the United States since 1994 and has no known criminal record, according to her daughter. Her application for permanent residency had already been approved through sponsorship by her U.S.-citizen daughter and son-in-law.

The family described detention conditions as difficult, saying Kaur struggled to rest due to constant lighting and noise inside the facility. They expressed shock that she was detained during what they believed was a routine and procedural step toward legal status.

The case has drawn attention in Long Beach, where the family is well known for operating a long-running Indian and Nepalese restaurant that served the local community for decades. Community members say the incident has raised fears among long-term immigrants navigating legal immigration processes.

Local Congressman Robert Garcia said his office is in contact with federal authorities and is seeking clarification. He criticized the detention, saying such actions create fear among families who contribute to their communities and follow legal pathways.

The Department of Homeland Security has not publicly explained the reason for Kaur’s detention or provided a timeline for resolving her case.

Immigration experts say the incident highlights the uncertainty faced by long-term residents without permanent status, even during lawful immigration procedures. Advocates warn that such detentions can disrupt families, businesses, and trust within immigrant communities.

Kaur’s family continues to call for her release as they await further updates from immigration authorities.