Indian-Origin Man With Brain Tumor Denied Medical Care in US Immigration Detention: Legal Battle Unfolds

A Sikh man of Indian origin suffering from a brain tumor and heart condition has been detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for more than two months. Paramjit Singh, 48, who has held a green card and lived in the United States for over three decades, was arrested at Chicago O'Hare Airport on July 30 when returning from India due to an unresolved previous case.

"Paramjit Singh is not receiving the necessary medical attention. He's only getting basic medical check-ups," stated Singh's attorney Louis Angeles in comments to the BBC.

According to Singh's niece, Kiran Virk, her uncle's detention stems from a 1999 incident involving unauthorized use of a public telephone. Court documents confirm he served a 10-day sentence and paid $4,137.50 in fines for this offense. This conviction has prevented him from obtaining US citizenship.

Immigration authorities have additionally claimed Singh was convicted of forgery in Illinois in 2008.

Virk alleges that authorities are intentionally using these old cases to extend Singh's detention, knowing he lacks access to proper medical care while dealing with serious health issues. She explained that the forgery allegation was used to block Singh's release after an immigration judge had granted him a $10,000 bond.

The family hired a private investigator who reportedly found no criminal records for anyone named Paramjit Singh regarding the alleged forgery case in the state.

Singh's family now plans to challenge what they describe as an "unethical" detention, especially as his second brain tumor surgery has been postponed, causing him increasing discomfort.

"We are also pursuing legal avenues to prevent his deportation from the United States," Angeles added.

This case follows last month's deportation of 73-year-old Harjit Kaur, grandmother to five US residents, who was reportedly shackled and returned to India after extended custody without food or medication. She was among approximately 2,400 Indians deported since the current administration intensified its crackdown on undocumented immigrants.