Indian Origin woman detained by ICE despite approved green card petition

 Babblejit “Bubbly” Kaur had lived in the US for 30 years

LONG BEACH, CA (TIP): A 60-year-old Long Beach woman was detained by federal immigration authorities earlier this month during a scheduled biometric appointment related to her pending green card application, according to her family.

Babblejit “Bubbly” Kaur was taken into custody on December 1 while attending a biometrics scan appointment, her daughter Joti Kaur said. The appointment was part of the process to adjust her immigration status through an approved family-based petition.

According to the family, Kaur has approved petitions filed by her US citizen daughter and her husband, who is a lawful permanent resident. The reason for her detention has not been publicly disclosed.

Using the Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainee locator system, the family was initially able to locate Kaur at a facility in the Los Angeles area. She was later transferred to the Adelanto ICE Processing Center in San Bernardino County.

Family members say Kaur has no criminal record. The Department of Homeland Security did not respond to inquiries from local media regarding the circumstances surrounding her detention.

Kaur and her family have lived in the United States since 1994, according to relatives. She and her husband previously owned and operated Natraj Cuisine of India and Nepal, a restaurant in Belmont Shore, for more than 20 years.

Kaur also worked for about 25 years at a Rite Aid in the neighborhood until the chain closed its local stores earlier this year.

The detention has prompted concern from local elected officials. The office of US Rep. Robert Garcia, who represents the area, confirmed it has submitted a request seeking Kaur’s release. The family is also exploring legal options that could allow her release on bond. A GoFundMe campaign organized by family friends has raised more than $26,000 to help cover legal fees, commissary expenses and communication costs while Kaur remains in custody at Adelanto. As of this week, Kaur remains detained. No timeline has been provided for a possible hearing or release.