Why Paramjit Singh, US Resident For 30 Years, Green Card Holder, Was Detained Over Decades-Old Pay Phone Case?

 Why Paramjit Singh, US Resident For 30 Years, Green Card Holder, Was Detained Over Decades-Old Pay Phone Case?

Fort Wayne, Indiana, September 18, 2025 – In a case that has ignited debates over U.S. immigration enforcement and the treatment of long-term residents, Paramjit Singh, a 60-year-old Indian-origin businessman and lawful permanent resident of the United States for more than three decades, has been held in federal custody for over 45 days. Detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) upon his return from India, Singh's ordeal stems from a decades-old misdemeanor involving the use of a pay phone without payment—a minor infraction he long ago resolved. With severe health complications including a brain tumor and heart condition exacerbating his plight, Singh's family and legal team are racing against time to secure his release, accusing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) of bureaucratic overreach.

Paramjit Singh arrived in the United States from India over 30 years ago, entering lawfully and eventually earning green card status as a permanent resident. Settling in Fort Wayne, Indiana, he built a thriving business, raised a family—including U.S.-born children—and became a pillar of his local Sikh community. Singh, who frequently travels to India to visit relatives, embodies the story of countless immigrants who have contributed to American society through hard work and adherence to the law. His attorney, Luis Angeles, emphasized that Singh has "followed all the rules" and posed no flight risk or threat.

The detention shattered this stability on July 30, 2025, when Singh landed at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport after a month-long family visit in India. ICE agents flagged him based on the ancient pay phone incident, a misdemeanor from decades prior where Singh made a call without paying. According to Angeles, the charge was reduced in severity, and Singh fully complied by serving any required time and settling fines. Under normal circumstances, such a resolved minor offense should not jeopardize a green card holder's status, but U.S. immigration law allows for mandatory detention at ports of entry for those with prior convictions, regardless of age or resolution.

 A Harrowing Timeline: Airport Hold, Health Crisis, and Facility Transfers

The initial shock quickly turned dire. For the first five days, Singh was confined within the airport's secondary inspection area, isolated from proper medical care. His pre-existing conditions—a brain tumor requiring urgent surgery and a chronic heart issue—deteriorated rapidly in the stressful environment, culminating in an emergency room visit that his family was never notified about. They only discovered the hospitalization weeks later upon receiving a hospital bill, a revelation that deepened their anguish.

Following the airport ordeal, Singh was transferred to a detention center in Indiana, where he spent about 20 days. He was then relocated to another facility in Kentucky, where he remains as of September 18. Over 45 days into his detention, the cumulative toll on his health has been profound, with Angeles warning that continued custody could be "life-threatening" without access to specialized treatment.

 Legal Battle: Bond Granted, But Appeals Stall Progress

Singh's legal team swiftly filed for bond redetermination, and an immigration judge ruled in his favor, deeming him eligible for release on bond due to his ties to the community, lack of recent criminal history, and medical needs. However, DHS immediately appealed the decision, invoking procedural tactics that Angeles described as "legal but arguably unethical." These maneuvers have effectively stalled Singh's freedom, leaving him in limbo despite the favorable ruling.

Angeles, who has handled similar cases, views this as part of a broader pattern in U.S. immigration enforcement. "This is not an isolated incident; it's a tactic we're seeing across the country," he said, vowing to escalate the matter to federal court imminently. The attorney believes a federal judge will side with Singh, ordering immediate release and potentially setting a precedent for long-term residents ensnared by outdated records. Efforts to post bond have been exhaustive but thwarted by DHS's ongoing challenges, with the family describing a "bureaucratic maze" of unreturned calls and stonewalled communications.

A DHS spokesperson defended the actions, stating that "lawful permanent resident status is a privilege, not a right," and individuals with criminal convictions—even minor or resolved ones—may face scrutiny and detention upon re-entry. The agency has not commented specifically on Singh's health or the appeal's merits.

 Voices of Desperation: Family's Plea Amid Heartbreak

The human cost of Singh's detention reverberates through his family, who have rallied publicly for his return. His brother, Charanjit Singh, captured their raw frustration in interviews: "We're just trying to post the bond, we're just trying to speak to someone, trying to communicate with someone. We're lost. We can't get anywhere with them." Charanjit, who has shouldered much of the advocacy, highlighted the irony of a man who has paid taxes and built a life in America now facing potential deportation over a forgotten phone call.

Singh's son, Gurkirat, echoed the sentiment regarding the ER secrecy: "They didn’t even tell us that that happened until we got the bill at home." The family, including Singh's wife and other children, has mobilized community support in Fort Wayne's Sikh circles, launching online petitions and media appeals. Their message is clear: Paramjit is not a criminal but a father, husband, and entrepreneur whose only "crime" was a youthful mistake from an era of ubiquitous pay phones.

 Broader Ramifications: A Spotlight on Immigration Enforcement

Singh's case underscores systemic flaws in how the U.S. treats green card holders with historical blemishes, particularly amid heightened scrutiny under evolving immigration policies. Advocates argue it exemplifies "over-detention," where minor, non-violent offenses from decades ago trigger disproportionate responses, disproportionately affecting immigrants of color. With Singh's health hanging in the balance, his story has drawn national attention, amplified by outlets from local Indiana news to international Indian media.