Who Is Babblejit Kaur? Indian-Origin Woman Detained During Green Card Appointment In California | India News
Babblejit “Bubbly” Kaur, a 60-year-old woman of Indian descent and longtime community member in Long Beach, Calif., was detained by federal immigration officials on Dec. 1 while en route to an appointment regarding her pending green card application. The incident shocked and saddened his family, according to the Long Beach Watchdog.
Bubbly was taken into custody during a biometric screening appointment, a routine process that usually involves fingerprinting and taking photos and takes only a few minutes, according to her daughter, Joti Kaur.
Joti said her mother sensed something was wrong that day. Upon arriving at the office, the staff seemed unusual. Shortly thereafter, two vehicles arrived and several federal agents entered the building. They went to the back room and Bubbly was later called into the same room.
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There, agents notified him of his arrest. Bubbly was taken into custody even though he had no criminal record. He asked to speak to his lawyer and was able to have an eight-minute meeting, but he was still detained.
Family’s Emotional Struggle
Joti Kaur, 34, described the past week as extremely difficult and said they did everything possible to secure her mother’s release, according to the Long Beach Watchdog.
The family was able to talk to and visit Bubbly at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center near Victorville, California. Bubbly shared details of his incarceration, including the time he spent in the facility that used to be a prison.
“This has been a nightmare for us,” Joti said, adding that the family believed his detention was unjust and deeply distressing.
Long-Term Ties with Society
The Kaur family moved to the United States in 1994. They first lived in Laguna Beach before moving to Long Beach for work. Over the years, Bubbly and her husband Singh became well-known figures in the local community.
The couple operated Indian and Nepalese Natraj Kitchen on 2nd Avenue in Belmont Shore for more than two decades. The restaurant was considered a beloved local business and a gathering place for area residents.
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Business and Legal Background
Bubbly has an approved immigration petition filed by her husband, who has a green card, and her older daughter, who is a U.S. citizen. Her son and older daughter are also U.S. citizens, while Joti has legal status years later under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
Bubbly, who left the restaurant shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic, worked at a Rite Aid store in Belmont Shore for 25 years until it closed earlier this year. He was preparing to return to work at a new Indian restaurant that would recently open in downtown Long Beach.
His family continues to seek clarity and relief as they await further developments in his case.
