Texas court interpreter Meenu Batra challenges ICE detention after airport arrest
The Facts
- Meenu Batra is a 53-year-old Indian-origin woman who has lived in the United States for more than 35 years.
- Batra was detained by ICE on March 17 at Harlingen International Airport in Texas while traveling to Milwaukee for a court-related work assignment.
- Batra works as a court interpreter and is described as certified or licensed in Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu.
- Batra remains in immigration detention in Texas, including reports that she is being held at the El Valle detention facility in Raymondville.
- Her lawyers have filed a habeas corpus petition or other legal challenge contesting the lawfulness of her detention.
- Multiple reports say Batra had work authorization tied to a 2000 withholding-of-removal order, while also noting that this status did not grant permanent residency.
Context
Why is Batra's immigration status central to the case?
Reports say Batra was granted withholding of removal in 2000, which allowed her to live and work in the US but did not give her permanent residency or citizenship. Her legal team argues that this protection and her work authorization should matter in assessing whether her detention is lawful GULF NEWS,Tribune,TheQuint.
What legal step has Batra taken?
Batra has filed a habeas corpus petition challenging her detention, arguing through her lawyers that ICE is holding her unlawfully NDTV,GULF NEWS,Zee News.
What was Batra doing when she was detained?
Multiple reports say she was traveling from Texas to Milwaukee for an immigration court interpreting assignment when ICE detained her at Harlingen International Airport on March 17 New Indian Express,Tribune,PTC News.
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