American immigration authorities detained a 73-year-old Sikh woman in California when she went for a routine check-in with the US agency, sparking protests among community members.
According to media reports, Harjit Kaur has been living in the East Bay in Northern California for the past 30 years.
Her family members and around 200 community members demonstrated against her detention at the intersection of Appian Way and San Pablo Dam Road in El Sobrante on Friday.
Dozens of people held signs that read “bring grandma home” at the intersection of Appian Way and San Pablo Dam Road in El Sobrante, reported Berkeleyside.
Kaur’s granddaughter Sukhdeep Kaur told the news portal: “We are all just in a state of shock.”
“I never thought something like this would happen, especially with her history and her being such a huge part of the community. It’s just outrageous,” she said.
Harjit Kaur is currently being held in Bakersfield.
Manjit Kaur, her daughter-in-law, told ABC7News: “It’s been a total nightmare to find out she’s been detained. We didn’t expect it. She’s been doing ICE check-ins for 13 years.”
