The detention of a respected senior Sikh woman in California has sparked protests organized by her family, community groups, and political leaders, including Congressman Garamendi, who criticized her detention as unjust.

Local officials, such as Dilli Bhattarai, are actively working to pressure the federal government for her release, emphasizing her positive community contributions and lack of criminal record.

Her family and supporters argue her detention is unjust given her compliance with immigration procedures, her longstanding residence in the U.S., and her role as a community pillar.

She is an undocumented immigrant from India who arrived in 1992 as a single mother and was recently detained after being asked to submit additional paperwork.

The woman, Harjit Kaur, is 73 years old, has lived in California's East Bay for over 30 years, and was detained by ICE during a routine check-in despite having no criminal record.

Her asylum case was denied in 2012, but she has consistently reported to ICE and sought travel documents from India, which have not been granted despite her cooperation.

Kaur has been reporting to ICE every six months for over 13 years, and her health issues, including thyroid problems and migraines, raise concerns about her well-being in detention.

Her family highlights her serious health issues and fears that her detention endangers her life, especially as she lacks access to necessary medication.

Supporters emphasize her long-term residence, work as a seamstress, and her efforts to obtain travel documents, which have been delayed for over 13 years.

U.S. Rep. Garamendi criticized her detention, stating it contradicts promises made to prioritize the worst offenders, given her lack of criminal record and compliance.

Kaur is a mother figure to many, with two grandsons and three granddaughters, and worked for over 20 years at a local Indian clothing store, being seen as independent and hardworking.

She was detained after being asked to submit additional paperwork at the ICE office in San Francisco and was transferred to a detention center in Bakersfield, raising concerns over her health and emotional distress.

Her family launched a campaign website, bringharjithome.com, to mobilize public support and urge officials to secure her release.