US court grants reprieve to 3 Indian nationals: orders release after detention without notice
WASHINGTON (The Uttam Hindu): A US federal judge in California has ordered immigration officials to release three Indian nationals, who were initially granted permission to reside in the US and then detained without a hearing or proper notice.
The court's rulings were issued this week in separate cases in the Eastern and Southern Districts of California. In each case, the courts found that immigration and law enforcement failed to comply with basic due process requirements before re-arresting these individuals.
It's worth noting that since Trump's return to power, several major changes have been made to immigration policies, tightening the law. As a result, immigrants living in the US are being rigorously vetted.
The three Indian nationals the court ruled in favor of were previously released by immigration authorities and later re-detained. In the first case, US District Judge Troy L. Nunley ordered the release of 21-year-old Harmeet S., who arrived in the US in August 2022.
Court records show that Harmeet was released as a minor under federal child protection laws. His immigration case is still pending. He later enrolled in an alternative-to-detention program run by the Department of Homeland Security. The court said he complied with all conditions and has no criminal history.
Harmeet previously appeared before ICE for an in-person check-in in November 2025. He was detained without advance notice. He remained in custody for more than a month without a bond hearing. Judge Nunally has now ruled that the detention likely violated the Due Process Clause of the 5th Amendment.
Let us tell you, in America, the Due Process Clause is a process of the 14th Constitutional Amendment which prevents the government from taking away the life, liberty, or property of any person without due process of law.
Accordingly, the court ordered Harmeet's immediate release and barred immigration officials from re-arresting him. The court stipulated that any re-arrest must first be served with notice or a hearing. The judge stated that any future detention would require proof that Harmeet poses a threat or is likely to flee.
Additionally, Judge Nunally ordered the release of Sawan K., an Indian citizen who entered the United States in September 2024. According to the court, Sawan K. was detained immediately upon entry. Sawan K. stated fear of political persecution in India, and his asylum application was pending when ICE released him.
During his release, Savannah appeared for ICE check-ins. Despite this, he was detained again during a routine appointment in September 2025. The court stated that Savannah was detained for nearly four months without a warrant or hearing.
In the third case, in Southern California, U.S. District Judge Janice L. Sammartino granted a writ of habeas corpus, a writ of physical presence, for Amit, an Indian citizen detained at the Imperial Regional Detention Center.
According to the court, Amit arrived in the United States in September 2022. He was briefly detained and then released on a cognizance order. After his release, Amit found a job and applied for asylum. According to the filing, he had no criminal record. In September 2025, Amit was arrested outside his home while waiting for a vehicle to go to work.