Chicago/Fort Wayne: Paramjit Singh, an Indian-origin businessman who has lived in the United States for more than 30 years, has been in ICE custody for over a month on what his family calls a “trivial and resolved” offence.
Singh, a green card holder and long-time Fort Wayne resident, was detained at Chicago O’Hare Airport on July 30 while returning from India, a trip he makes regularly. His attorney, Luis Angeles, said the detention was “absolutely illegal,” adding that Singh suffers from a brain tumor and heart problems, and his continued custody endangers his life.
The offence in question dates back decades—using a pay phone without paying. “It was a minor infraction for which he has already served his time and paid his debt to society,” Angeles told Newsweek.
Kept at airport for five days, rushed to ER
According to his family, Singh was confined inside the airport for five days after detention, during which his health deteriorated so severely that he had to be taken to the emergency room. The family was not informed—learning of his condition only when they received the ER bill.
“As a lawful permanent resident, Mr. Singh should never have been detained,” Angeles said. “He entered the U.S. lawfully, adjusted his status properly, worked hard to build his American dream, and contributed significantly to his community.”
Family struggles to secure release
Singh has already won his bond hearing, but his brother Charanjit Singh told WPTA that DHS was using “delaying tactics” to prolong detention. “We’re just trying to post the bond, trying to speak to someone, to communicate with someone. We are lost,” he said.
