A series of courtroom triumphs this week has brought relief to Indian nationals detained by US immigration officials, with judges in key states mandating bond hearings and releases due to flawed detention practices. Federal courts in California, Michigan, New York, and Oklahoma cited improper application of laws like Sections 1226 and 1225, alongside due process failures.
Leading the charge, San Diego’s court granted Harbeet Singh’s writ, demanding a personal bond hearing within a week. The ruling stressed that without government proof of flight risk or danger via clear evidence, such detentions are untenable.
Michigan’s ruling for Sagar Ram rejected mandatory detention claims, opting for a swift Section 1226(a) hearing or release in five business days.
Oklahoma clarified Karan Deep Singh’s status under bond-permitting Section 1226(a), not mandatory 1225(b)(2), and scheduled immediate proceedings.
In New York, Brooklyn court issued habeas relief to Harmanpreet Singh, ordering new hearings and evidentiary standards to uphold Fifth Amendment rights against arbitrary extended custody.
California delivered twice more: Bhavandeep Singh Dhaliwal’s instant release with re-detention injunctions, and Vikrant Singh’s prompt exit under prior conditions.
Contrasting these wins, Michigan dismissed Gurpreet Walia Singh’s challenge after prior review confirmed legality, and Oklahoma rejected a bond petition per magistrate advice.
This cluster of rulings reflects heightened judicial oversight on immigration enforcement, potentially reshaping how detentions are managed for non-mandatory cases and bolstering due process claims nationwide.