(FORT WAYNE, INDIANA) A 60-year-old Indian-origin businessman, Paramjit Singh, remains in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody more than six weeks after his detention at Chicago O’Hare Airport over a decades-old payphone incident, a case that has jolted his Fort Wayne community and raised broader questions about due process for lawful permanent residents.
Singh, a green card holder who has lived and worked in the United States for over 30 years, was stopped on July 30 while returning from a routine trip to India. His family says a judge later granted him bond, yet he is still not home because of what his attorney describes as DHS-driven delays and procedural hurdles. As the days stretch on, relatives say his health is worsening and their faith in the system is fraying.
The airport stop and prolonged detention
What began as an airport stop has turned into a prolonged ICE detention that tests the limits of how far old, minor infractions can reach into a person’s life. The alleged offense at issue—a long-resolved payphone incident from years ago—would hardly register in most court dockets today.
But under immigration law, even old convictions can trigger secondary screening, custody, and, in some cases, ongoing removal proceedings when a permanent resident reenters the country. Singh’s family and lawyer argue the government’s approach in his case is out of proportion to both the age and the nature of the offense, and dangerously dismissive of his serious medical conditions.
According to relatives:
– Singh spent five days confined inside the airport after arrival before being transferred to an ICE facility in Indiana for nearly three weeks, and then moved to a detention center in Kentucky.
– These facility transfers added uncertainty and made it harder for family and legal counsel to keep track of his status.
Singh’s attorney, Luis Angeles, says the transfer pattern compounded the strain on a man facing a brain tumor and heart problems, conditions known to authorities and documented by the family.
Health concerns and lack of communication
During custody, Singh’s health reportedly deteriorated sharply. He required an emergency room visit, yet family members say they were not told about the medical crisis until they received a hospital bill. For relatives who believed he was in a secure federal setting where health needs would be promptly met, the lack of notice was traumatic.
“We are lost,” relatives said, describing repeated unsuccessful attempts to get straightforward answers from officials.
Family members report missed medical appointments, worsening symptoms, and growing anxiety about ongoing care. Advocates warn that detainees with chronic or serious conditions—especially those in transit or through long intake periods—are particularly vulnerable.
Legal status: bond granted but not implemented
Angeles, a veteran immigration lawyer, calls the detention “absolutely illegal” for a lawful permanent resident with no recent criminal record and deep community ties.
Key points:
– A judge granted bond after reviewing the case.
– Singh remains in ICE custody while the family attempts to complete bond-related steps amid alleged administrative roadblocks.
– Angeles accuses the Department of Homeland Security of using tactics that keep clients locked up despite bond rulings and says he is prepared to escalate in federal court if needed.
The family reports shifting instructions and stalled processing—what Angeles describes as “court tactics” that turn a judge’s ruling into a paper victory rather than a pathway to release.
Human and community impact
The human toll has been severe:
– Singh’s U.S.-born children and extended family report missed school days, sleepless nights, and constant fear.
– The family business is operating on a skeleton crew, with employees covering extra shifts and worry about income disruptions.
– Friends and community members in Fort Wayne are stunned: Singh is known for paying employees on time, mentoring newcomers, and donating to local causes.
Supporters say the case underlines a practical caution: even minor, old offenses can resurface during immigration checks, particularly at ports of entry.
Policy context and legal mechanics
Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, certain convictions—even old ones—can trigger questions about whether a returning resident is admissible. If flagged, the person may be detained for review, placed in removal proceedings, or held while a judge considers bond.
Factors that often determine outcomes in cases like Singh’s (per VisaVerge.com analysis):
1. The exact nature of the past offense (fixed).
2. How the record is presented and interpreted in immigration court (variable).
3. The person’s current ties and conduct in the United States (variable).
In practice, robust legal counsel, strong documentation of health needs, and community support can sway a judge’s decisions on bond and relief from removal if proceedings advance.
ICE declined to comment on specifics, but agency guidance notes that lawful permanent residents with past criminal convictions may be subject to custody and review upon reentry. DHS emphasizes that a green card is permission to live and work in the country, not an absolute shield from immigration enforcement.
Medical care and transparency issues
Medical care inside detention is a flash point:
– Detainees are supposed to receive timely treatment, but family accounts suggest delayed communication and gaps caused by facility transfers.
– For conditions like a brain tumor, even short lapses in care can have serious consequences.
– The family learned of Singh’s ER visit only through a hospital invoice, heightening concerns over notice requirements for medical emergencies in custody.
Advocates say clearer rules and stronger notice requirements are needed to ensure detainees with serious conditions receive continuous care.
Practical advice and next steps
Legal and community advocates recommend the following for permanent residents who travel:
– Carry certified court records showing dates and outcomes of any convictions.
– Keep a travel packet with identification, proof of residence, employment letters, tax records, and medical documentation.
– Have doctors’ letters and prescriptions ready if medical care may be relevant.
– Use the ICE Detainee Locator: https://locator.ice.gov/locator to track transfers and custody status.
– Document all communications with agencies (calls, emails, mailed requests).
– Contact members of Congress or local legal aid groups for assistance when appropriate.
Angeles says if DHS continues to block or slow-walk release despite the bond decision, he will seek relief from a federal judge. That step could further extend timelines, but he believes a court review may be the only path to enforce the bond ruling.
Community response and broader implications
The case has stirred debate in immigrant communities across Indiana and beyond:
– Community leaders plan information sessions on bond hearings, documents to carry while traveling, and steps to take if someone is detained at a port of entry.
– Employers are reviewing contingency plans—power of attorney, banking permissions, payroll procedures—to keep businesses running if a principal is detained.
– Advocates urge policy changes: limit detention for old, minor offenses when a person has long-term residence and serious medical needs; require stronger notice for medical emergencies; speed up mechanisms to carry out bond orders.
Family supporters continue to press for release:
– They want Singh home to see his own doctors and receive uninterrupted care.
– They emphasize that the longer he stays in custody, the higher the risk of complications from his brain tumor and heart issues.
– The family is ready to post bond and let legal arguments proceed while Singh is at home.
Possible legal significance
If a federal court finds that continued custody after a bond ruling is improper under these facts, it could influence how similar cases are handled nationwide. Even without a court order, media coverage and public scrutiny can sometimes prompt faster agency responses.
For now, Singh remains in ICE detention while his family:
– keeps calling and sending letters,
– attends hearings,
– solicits support letters from local officials and community leaders, and
– seeks clearer assurances about treatment plans inside detention.
They say the essential question remains: What purpose is served by keeping a longtime resident with serious health problems locked up over a decades-old payphone incident that was already resolved? In their view, the answer is none.
Quick reference: Timeline, issues, and actions
- Timeline:
- July 30: Detained at Chicago O’Hare after returning from India.
- 5 days: Confined inside the airport.
- ~3 weeks: Held in an Indiana ICE facility.
- Later transferred to a Kentucky detention center.
- Major issues:
- Bond granted by a judge but not implemented.
- Medical emergency occurred; family notified only via bill.
- Multiple transfers causing confusion and care gaps.
- Community and family disruption (business, school, finances).
- Recommended actions for families:
- Gather certified court dispositions and proof of rehabilitation.
- Compile employment, tax, medical, and community documentation.
- Track custody via https://locator.ice.gov/locator.
- Document all agency contacts and consider congressional or media outreach.
- Consult immigration counsel ready to pursue federal relief if necessary.
VisaVerge.com notes that quick, organized action by relatives—paired with steady legal work—can shorten custody and help secure a person’s release while legal proceedings continue. That is the outcome the Singh family is fighting for now.
Until then, his family keeps the shop running, keeps calling, and waits for the call that says he is finally coming home.
This Article in a Nutshell
Paramjit Singh, a 60-year-old lawful permanent resident who has lived in the U.S. for over 30 years, was detained at Chicago O’Hare on July 30 over a decades-old payphone incident. Despite a judge granting bond, Singh remains in ICE custody after spending five days in airport confinement and transfers to facilities in Indiana and Kentucky. His attorney, Luis Angeles, alleges DHS-driven delays and administrative hurdles have prevented implementation of the bond order. Singh has serious medical conditions, including a brain tumor and heart problems; family members say his health declined and they were only notified of an emergency room visit via a hospital bill. The case has sparked community concern in Fort Wayne, raised questions about due process and medical transparency for detainees, and prompted calls for improved documentation, clearer notice rules, and faster enforcement of bond decisions. Legal advocates recommend carrying certified court dispositions, medical records, and using the ICE Detainee Locator while preparing to pursue federal court relief if administrative barriers continue.
