A longtime court interpreter, who serves as Texas’ only official Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu interpreter, has been released from ICE custody after being detained for six weeks, her attorney confirmed.
Batra, a single mother of four adult children who are U.S. citizens, was arrested March 17 by federal immigration officers at Valley International Airport in Harlingen on her way to Wisconsin for work.
Batra has lived in the United States for 35 years and worked as a certified court interpreter for 20. The Brownsville resident’s specialized language skills are in demand nationwide, causing her to travel for work.
After her arrest, Batra was held at the El Valle Detention Facility in Raymondville, where she said she was “humiliated and treated like a criminal,” according to ABC News.
A federal district judge on Thursday ordered Batra’s immediate release on grounds that her due process rights were violated, according her attorney Deepak Ahluwahlia. The judge stated in his decision that Batra was arrested without prior notice, interview or proper procedure, according to ABC.
“Meenu was released, but her case reflects what’s happening in immigration since this administration took over,” Ahluwahlia posted to Instagram. “Families are being separated without a clear reason and without a fair chance at due process.”
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security told ABC News that Batra was arrested March 17 “during a targeted enforcement operation.”
“Batra was issued a final order of removal from an immigration judge in 2000. She first entered the country illegally at an unknown date and location. An activist judge appointed by Barack Obama RELEASED her from ICE custody on April 30,” the spokesperson said. “We will continue to fight for the removal of illegal aliens who have no right to be in our country.”
The judge who released Batra had granted her a “withholding of removal,” a designation intended to prevent deportation for individuals who fear persecution if returned to their country of origin, according to news reports.
Batra was born in India. When she was a teenager, her parents were killed because of their Sikh religion, causing her to flee to the United States and apply for asylum, CBS News reports.
Batra is working to get her green card through her youngest son, a soldier in the U.S. Army, attorney Ahluwahlia told CBS News, adding that he plans to expedite the process to ensure her protection from further deportation efforts.
However, Ahluwahlia added that Batra can’t be arrested again without formal notice and an interview in the presence of an attorney.
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