A 60-year-old Indian woman, Babblejit “Bubbly” Kaur, who has lived in the United States for over three decades, experienced a shocking ordeal when federal agents detained her during what was supposed to be a routine green card biometrics appointment. Settled in California and well-known in Long Beach’s Indian restaurant community, Kaur believed she was close to finalizing her permanent residency through her US citizen daughter and green card-holding husband. On December 1, while waiting at the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement office for her scan, agents unexpectedly pulled her into a back room and arrested her without explanation, despite her clean record since arriving in 1994. She was later transported overnight to the Adelanto ICE Processing Center, a former prison located two hours inland.

Life in detention has been harsh for Kaur. She is confined to a dormitory-style room with dozens of other detainees, under bright lights that remain on 24/7, surrounded by constant noise and distress, leaving little opportunity for rest. Family visits involve long waits for brief encounters, and her only legal contact so far has been a single attorney call. Her daughter, Joti, described the conditions as “inhumane,” emphasizing that her mother has been a law-abiding community member, running establishments like Natraj Cuisine in Laguna Beach and Long Beach for years.

Kaur’s case reflects a broader climate of fear among immigrants under President Trump’s renewed enforcement measures since his 2025 inauguration. Reports of detentions occurring even at legal appointments have surged, unsettling long-term residents who have contributed to the country through taxes and family life. Local Democratic Representative Robert Garcia has criticized ICE’s actions and is advocating for Kaur’s bond release, while immigrant advocates highlight similar incidents nationwide, advising green card applicants to secure legal representation and avoid attending appointments alone.

Joti has launched fundraisers to support her mother’s legal defense, framing the ordeal as a warning about the precarious position even law-abiding immigrants can face. While Homeland Security has yet to provide a reason for Kaur’s detention, her story has gained widespread attention, illustrating how a routine immigration procedure can dramatically disrupt the life of someone who has built decades of community and stability in the United States. For Indian immigrants pursuing permanent residency, her experience serves as a stark reminder that even standard processes like biometrics can carry unexpected risks.