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Meenu Batra, a 53-year-old Indian-origin woman, has been living in the United States for the past 35 years. Recently, she was detained by ICE agents in Texas who questioned her awareness of a deportation order and her legal status in the country.
Batra’s Role as a Legal Interpreter
According to the Texas Observer, Batra is the only licensed Hindi, Punjabi, and Urdu legal interpreter in Texas. Frequently contracted to assist South Asian individuals navigating the immigration court system, Batra was detained while passing through security at Harlingen International Airport on March 17, en route to a case in Wisconsin.
Details of the Detainment Incident
Batra reported that the agents who detained her did not wear visible badges or uniforms. When asked if she knew she was in the country illegally, she asserted that her work authorization was valid for another four years, following a legal status granted by a New Jersey immigration judge decades ago. The agent responded, “That doesn’t mean you can be here forever.”
Legal Representation and Response
Deepak Ahluwalia, an immigration attorney based in California and Texas, has filed a habeas petition on Batra’s behalf. Following her arrest, Batra was placed in handcuffs and transported to ICE’s field office in Harlingen, where she is recognized due to her frequent work in translation for various cases.
Batra’s Treatment in Custody
The report from Texas Observer indicates that Batra was moved through multiple holding cells for 24 hours without access to food or water. Initially in Harlingen and later at the El Valle Detention Center in Willacy County, she remains without access to the consistent medical care required after surgeries in December.
Family and Ongoing Legal Efforts
Recently, one of Batra’s children enlisted in the military and has filed a parole application on her behalf. Her legal team has also pursued a temporary restraining order to prevent ICE from relocating her to another detention facility. However, the Department of Homeland Security stated that Batra has a final order of removal dated back to 2000 and will remain in ICE custody while awaiting deportation.
Concerns About Legal Process
Ahluwalia has raised concerns about the legality of Batra’s detention. He noted, “What is completely bizarre in this case is that they are detaining these individuals without any notice, circumventing the laws by removing them to countries like Sudan. This is a clear violation of our laws and our client’s rights, and we will fight until she has been released.”
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