Court Interpreter Detained by ICE Speaks Out: 'They Want to Make Me Disappear'

Texas court interpreter Meenu Batra is speaking out from detention after being arrested by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), saying she has been "treated like a criminal" and fears being deported to a country she has never even visited.

Batra is the only licensed Punjabi, Hindi and Urdu court interpreter in the state, and has served as an interpreter for hundreds of people in immigration court. She has lived in the United States for over 35 years.

In a powerful statement from detention, Batra expressed her concern that ICE is trying to "make [her] disappear." She said, "They want to send me back to a country I have never even been to. I am being treated like a criminal, when all I have done is serve my community to the best of my ability."

Batra's arrest and detention have sparked outrage among her colleagues and members of the immigrant community she has tirelessly supported over the years. Immigration advocates argue that her case highlights the troubling trend of ICE targeting essential service providers in immigrant communities.

"Meenu Batra is the backbone of our immigration courts," said Raul Reyes, an immigration attorney who has worked with Batra. "She is being punished for doing her job and helping some of the most vulnerable people in our society. This is a devastating loss for the immigrant community in Texas."

The circumstances surrounding Batra's arrest remain unclear, but her supporters believe it may be related to a clerical error or bureaucratic mix-up in her immigration paperwork. Regardless, they argue that her detention is a grave injustice that undermines the integrity of the immigration court system and the due process rights of immigrants.

"Meenu Batra is an asset to our community, not a threat," said Nadia Seetahal, a local immigrant advocate. "Her detention sends a chilling message to other essential service providers that they are not safe, even if they are doing everything by the book. This is a disturbing development that we cannot ignore."

As Batra's case continues to unfold, her supporters are calling on ICE and the Department of Homeland Security to immediately release her and allow her to resume her vital work in the immigration court system. They argue that her detention undermines the fairness and accessibility of the courts, and deprives vulnerable immigrants of a critical resource they rely on.

"Meenu Batra is the heart and soul of our immigration courts," said Reyes. "Her detention is a grave injustice that we must fight against. We will not rest until she is released and can continue serving our community."