Paramjit Singh, an Indian-origin man and long-time U.S. green card holder, has been detained in Chicago since July 30 after returning from a family visit to India, according to his lawyer. Singh, who migrated to the United States three decades ago, runs a business in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and suffers from serious medical conditions, including a brain tumour and a heart ailment. His family noted that Singh frequently travels to India, but this time, he was stopped at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport by immigration authorities.
Paramjit Singh’s Health Deteriorates Amid Detention Over Trivial Old Infraction
Singh’s lawyer, Luis Angeles, revealed that the detention stemmed from a decades-old case involving a minor infraction. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Singh was held because of an old incident in which he used a pay phone without paying for it. Angeles emphasized that Singh had already taken accountability for the act, served his sentence, and settled the matter legally years ago. He stressed that such a minor issue should never have warranted detention at this stage.
Following his detention, Singh was reportedly kept at the airport for five days, during which his health deteriorated. Due to his existing medical conditions, he had to be rushed to the emergency room. Shockingly, his family only discovered this after receiving a bill for the ER visit, which his son, Gurkirat Singh, described as deeply distressing and negligent on the part of authorities.
Singh’s Case Heads to Federal Court Amid Allegations of Unjust Detention
Angeles further claimed that while a court had declared Singh eligible for bond and granted him one, the DHS has employed “arguably unethical” legal tactics to prolong his detention. He argued that the government, despite being aware of Singh’s fragile health and need for urgent surgery, continues to hold him without valid justification, thereby worsening his condition and causing immense suffering to his family.
The next step, according to Angeles, is to escalate the case to a federal court. He expressed confidence that a federal judge would recognize Singh’s unjust detention and order his immediate release.
Summary:
Paramjit Singh, a U.S. green card holder from India, was detained in Chicago over a decades-old minor infraction despite poor health. His lawyer alleges DHS is using unethical tactics to prolong detention, even after bond approval. Singh’s deteriorating condition has prompted plans to escalate the case to federal court.
