Summary
Meenu Batra, a 53-year-old immigration court interpreter from India who has lived in the U.S. for about 35 years, was detained by ICE at a Texas airport. She has a legal work permit due to a protection order granted in 2000 but faces removal because of a prior deportation order, and her case highlights ongoing immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump.
Key Facts
- Meenu Batra works as a freelance court interpreter for Hindi, Punjabi, and Urdu speakers.
- She was detained by ICE agents on March 17 at Valley International Airport in Harlingen, Texas.
- Batra has lived in the U.S. for roughly 35 years and fled violence in India linked to her Sikh religion.
- In 2000, Batra was granted “withholding of removal,” a protection allowing her to stay in the U.S. and work legally.
- ICE says she has a final removal order from an immigration judge from 2000.
- Her youngest son recently joined the U.S. Army.
- Batra is currently held at El Valle detention center in Raymondville, Texas.
- A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson stated that work permits do not give full legal immigration status.
