Paramjit Singh, a 48-year-old Indian-origin Green Card holder, has been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for more than two months after being stopped at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport. Singh, who has lived in the United States since 1994, is reportedly suffering from severe health problems, including a brain tumour and a heart condition. His family alleges that ICE has neglected his medical needs and delayed his scheduled brain surgery due to his detention.
Singh was taken into custody on July 30 upon his return from a trip to India. After being held for five days at O’Hare, he was transferred to a detention facility in Clay County, Indiana. ICE officials have cited two past criminal cases as justification for his detention — allegations his family says are outdated or inaccurate, according to a BBC report.
One of the cases dates back to 1999, when Singh was charged for using a public phone without paying, serving 10 days in prison and paying a $4,137.50 fine. The second, an alleged 2008 forgery conviction in Illinois, does not appear in official records, his family claims.
“We believe immigration authorities are using outdated or incorrect information to justify his continued detention,” said Singh’s niece, Kiran Virk.
Although an immigration judge granted Singh a $10,000 bond, ICE has refused to release him, continuing to cite the disputed 2008 case. Singh’s attorney, Louis Angeles, has called the detention “unethical” and plans to challenge it in court. He also intends to seek a block on Singh’s potential deportation, as the family reports limited communication with him and growing concern over his deteriorating health.
Singh, who owns a business in Fort Wayne, Indiana, has lived in the U.S. for three decades. His wife and two children are American citizens, and he has previously traveled to India without any immigration issues. His case is scheduled to be heard on October 14.
Singh’s detention comes amid the Trump administration’s heightened immigration crackdown, which has drawn criticism for targeting even long-term residents and individuals without recent criminal activity. In a similar case, Harjit Kaur, a 73-year-old grandmother who had lived in the U.S. for over 30 years, was deported to India in September, sparking renewed concerns over the scope and fairness of current enforcement practices.
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