Paramjit Singh’s journey to the United States began over three decades ago when he arrived with a green card, eager to establish a life and a thriving business in Indiana. He successfully built an empire of gas stations, amassing a significant income and creating a stable family life. However, his story has taken a tragic turn. Currently, Singh is confined in a Kentucky county jail, battling a rapidly advancing brain tumor and facing the grim possibility of deportation. His plight highlights the complexities and harsh realities of the U.S. immigration system, particularly under the current administration.
Singh’s health has deteriorated significantly during his time in detention. His niece, Kirandeep Kaur, reports that he has lost over 20 pounds and is struggling with his mental health, expressing feelings of hopelessness. The family’s attempts to secure his release on humanitarian grounds have been met with bureaucratic indifference. Despite his serious medical condition, officials from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have dismissed concerns about his health, claiming that the care he receives in detention is adequate.
The legal basis for Singh’s detention appears to be flawed. His lawyer argues that the DHS misclassified him as “subject to removal” based on a 25-year-old theft conviction, which was a minor offense involving a collect call. More troubling is the DHS’s reference to a forgery conviction that does not exist. A private investigation firm found no evidence of such a conviction, and the Illinois State Police confirmed that their records show no criminal convictions for Singh. This raises serious questions about the integrity of the DHS’s claims and the processes that led to Singh’s detention.
Singh’s case is not isolated; it reflects a broader trend of legal immigrants facing deportation under increasingly aggressive enforcement policies. The use of automatic stays by the DHS to override immigration judges’ decisions has become a common practice, effectively keeping individuals like Singh in detention despite their eligibility for release. According to Suchita Mathur, a senior litigation attorney at the American Immigration Council, this tactic undermines the judicial process and disproportionately affects those who pose no threat to society.
In a recent bond hearing, an immigration judge recognized Singh’s contributions to his community and ordered his release on a $10,000 bond. However, before his family could post the bond, the DHS filed an automatic stay, keeping him locked up. This situation is emblematic of the challenges many face within the immigration system, where legal avenues are often obstructed by bureaucratic maneuvers.
The family has been proactive in seeking help, submitting letters of support from Singh’s employees and medical professionals attesting to his need for urgent medical care. Yet, their efforts have been met with silence from the DHS, leaving them in a state of uncertainty and fear for Singh’s life. The statistics surrounding immigration bond hearings are stark; only 31% of cases received bond in the first nine months of 2023, and the median bond amount is often out of reach for many families.
As Singh awaits his removal proceedings, scheduled for September 29, his family remains hopeful but anxious. They are caught in a system that seems indifferent to their plight, where the lines between legality and injustice blur. Singh’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of immigration policies that prioritize enforcement over compassion.
The urgency of Singh’s situation cannot be overstated. As he battles a life-threatening illness in a detention center, the stakes are incredibly high. His case raises critical questions about the treatment of immigrants in the U.S. and the ethical implications of a system that can detain individuals without clear evidence of wrongdoing. The outcome of Singh’s case may not only determine his fate but also reflect the broader values of a society grappling with its approach to immigration and human rights.