Trending Now - Longtime Legal Worker Detained by ICE Seeks Justice

WHO:

CBS News - Meenu Batra was born in India and fled to the U.S. roughly 35 years ago after her parents were killed because of their Sikh religion.

CBS News - Batra's attorney stated that her immigration status is known as "withholding of removal," which differs from asylum.

CBS News - Meenu Batra, a 53-year-old single mother of four adult U.S. citizens, was detained by ICE.

CBS News - Batra's children are Amrita, Lucas, Aaryan, and Jasper.

CBS News - Batra has been a certified court interpreter for over 20 years.

CBS News - The U.S. Department of Homeland Security referred to Batra as an "illegal alien."

WHAT:

CBS News - Batra's attorney stated that her immigration status, "withholding of removal," does not allow her to apply for permanent U.S. residency and does not protect her from deportation to a third-party country.

CBS News - Batra stated, "They told me you're here illegally," regarding her arrest, and she insisted, "No, sir, I have my documents with me, in my bag right now."

CBS News - Batra expressed that the uncertainty of her situation is the "worst part," saying, "Every single day, you can't sleep because you're afraid when you go to bed, where you're going to wake up."

CBS News - Batra's son, Jasper, expressed feelings of betrayal, stating, "I thought, you know, I would serve my country and serve my people... but I guess not."

CBS News - Batra's language skills in Hindi, Punjabi, and Urdu are requested nationwide.

CBS News - Batra stated, "And I can live and I can work. And that is all I wanted to do."

CBS News - Batra's attorney indicated that her immigration status allows her to remain and work legally as long as she does not leave the U.S. or commit a crime.

CBS News - Batra stated, "They told me you're here illegally," regarding her arrest.

CBS News - Batra's youngest son, Jasper, joined the U.S. Army months before her arrest and expressed feelings of betrayal, stating, "I thought, you know, I would serve my country and serve my people... but I guess not."

CBS News - Meenu Batra was arrested by federal immigration officers on March 17th, 2026.

CBS News - Batra was detained while on her way to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for a work trip.

CBS News - Batra has worked legally in the U.S. for nearly 35 years.

CBS News - Batra's immigration status allows her to remain and work legally as long as she does not leave the U.S. or commit a crime.

CBS News - Batra stated, "I am here, and I am legal and will not be removed, so I have nothing to worry about."

WHERE:

CBS News - Batra is currently held at the El Valle Detention Facility in Raymondville, Texas, which is located near the U.S.-Mexico border.

CBS News - Batra was detained at Valley International Airport in Harlingen, Texas.

CBS News - Batra is currently held at the El Valle Detention Facility in Raymondville, Texas.

WHEN:

CBS News - Batra was arrested on March 17th, 2026.

CBS News - Batra has lived in the U.S. for nearly 35 years, having arrived around 1991.

WHY:

CBS News - The U.S. Department of Homeland Security referred to Batra as an "illegal alien," stating that "employment authorization does not confer any type of legal status."

CBS News - The U.S. Department of Homeland Security stated that "employment authorization does not confer any type of legal status."

CBS News - Batra's arrest occurred despite her belief that she was in the U.S. legally due to her immigration status.

HOW:

CBS News - Batra was detained while traveling for work, specifically on her way to Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

CBS News - Batra was detained by ICE agents while traveling for work.

(UPDATED April 17, 2026 15:18 UTC)

Batra, currently held at the El Valle Detention Facility in Raymondville, Texas, expressed her distress over her immigration status, stating that her "withholding of removal" does not allow her to apply for permanent residency and leaves her vulnerable to deportation. During her arrest, she insisted she had her documents with her, but the authorities labeled her as an "illegal alien," which has left her feeling betrayed and uncertain about her future. Her son, Jasper, echoed those feelings of betrayal, reflecting on his service to the country and the painful realization of his mother's precarious situation.

(UPDATED April 17, 2026 04:06 UTC)

Batra's language skills in Hindi, Punjabi, and Urdu are in high demand across the nation, and she expressed her desire to live and work freely, stating, "And I can live and I can work. And that is all I wanted to do." Her attorney confirmed that her immigration status permits her to remain and work legally in the U.S. as long as she does not leave the country or commit a crime, despite the U.S. Department of Homeland Security clarifying that employment authorization does not grant legal status. Batra was detained while traveling for work on her way to Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

(UPDATED April 16, 2026 17:24 UTC)

Meenu Batra, who fled India about 35 years ago after her parents were killed due to their Sikh faith, is currently facing uncertainty regarding her immigration status, which is classified as "withholding of removal." Following her arrest, Batra expressed her fear and anxiety, saying, "Every single day, you can't sleep because you're afraid when you go to bed, where you're going to wake up." Her youngest son, Jasper, who joined the U.S. Army months before her arrest, voiced feelings of betrayal, reflecting on his service to the country and his family.

(UPDATED April 16, 2026 15:30 UTC)

Meenu Batra, a 53-year-old single mother of four adult U.S. citizens, was detained by ICE March 17th, while traveling for work to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Batra, who has worked legally in the U.S. for nearly 35 years and is a certified court interpreter, believes she is in the country legally and stated, "I am here, and I am legal and will not be removed, so I have nothing to worry about." Currently, she is being held at the El Valle Detention Facility in Raymondville, Texas, after being arrested at Valley International Airport in Harlingen.