Immigration – Congressman Leaves State of the Union Seat Vacant in Protest
Immigration – A senior Democratic member of Congress has chosen to leave his invited guest seat unoccupied at the upcoming State of the Union address, drawing attention to the deportation of a 73-year-old Indian grandmother who once lived in his district.
Representative John Garamendi said the empty chair would represent Harjit Kaur, a former constituent who was removed from the United States last year. President Donald Trump is scheduled to deliver his State of the Union speech on February 24.
Symbolic Gesture at State of the Union
In a public statement, Garamendi explained that Kaur was unable to attend because she had been deported to India during a late-night transfer by immigration authorities. By leaving the seat empty, he said he hoped to underscore what he described as the human consequences of current deportation policies.
The congressman added that the gesture was meant not only for Kaur but also for others affected by enforcement actions across the country. Immigration policy has remained one of the most closely watched and divisive issues in national politics, particularly during Trump’s presidency.
Longtime US Resident Detained
Kaur had lived in the United States since the early 1990s. Although her asylum application was denied in 2012, she continued to comply with requirements set by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. For more than 13 years, she attended routine check-ins with ICE officials in San Francisco every six months, according to her attorney.
On September 8, 2025, during one of those scheduled visits, she was taken into custody. She was first held at an ICE facility in Bakersfield, California, before being transferred the next day to the Mesa Verde Detention Facility.
Transfer and Removal to India
Court filings and statements from her legal team indicate that on September 19, around 2:00 a.m., Kaur was moved from Bakersfield to Los Angeles in handcuffs and then flown to Georgia. Her attorney and family members were not informed before the transfer. Shortly afterward, she was placed on a charter flight to India.
Her family said they were unable to determine her location for more than 24 hours. They had reportedly arranged commercial travel so that relatives could accompany her to India, but she was removed before those plans could proceed. According to her lawyer, she did not have an opportunity to say goodbye.
Allegations Over Detention Conditions
Garamendi’s office outlined several concerns about the conditions Kaur experienced while in custody. During her detention, she was allegedly kept for hours without access to a bed or chair and was required to sleep on the floor. The statement also said she was shackled during transfers and was not provided vegetarian meals consistent with her religious practices.
Her attorney further claimed that Kaur, who had previously undergone double knee replacement surgery and suffers from thyroid disease and chronic migraines, was denied several prescribed medications. Despite repeated requests, she reportedly did not see a doctor or nurse and received only one of multiple required medicines. At one point, she was given only a bowl of ice after going more than a day without a meal, according to her legal representatives.
Ongoing Health Concerns and Broader Debate
Since returning to India, Kaur has remained in contact with her family in the United States. However, relatives say she continues to face health challenges and lacks nearby family support.
The case has drawn renewed attention to immigration enforcement practices. Supporters of stricter border control argue that consistent application of immigration laws is necessary, while critics question detention conditions and the handling of long-term residents with no criminal record.
Indian nationals are among those subject to removal proceedings in the United States. Deportations involving Indian citizens have at times prompted diplomatic discussions between Washington and New Delhi, particularly regarding humanitarian safeguards and communication with families.
As lawmakers prepare for the President’s address, the empty seat in the House chamber is expected to serve as a visible reminder of the personal stories intertwined with a broader national debate.