By: Express News ServiceChandigarh | Updated: September 18, 2025 01:37 AM IST 3 min readSingh’s lawyer has filed an appeal and is seeking immediate federal court review, Newsweek reported.Paramjit Singh, a U.S. green card holder originally from India, has been in federal custody for more than six weeks after immigration agents detained him at Chicago’s O’Hare Airport on July 30, Newsweek reported. Singh, who has lived in the United States for over three decades and runs a business in Fort Wayne, Indiana, had just returned from a trip to India when he was stopped.His attorney, Luis Angeles, told Newsweek the detention has been “nothing short of horrific” for Singh and his family. Singh, who suffers from a brain tumor and a heart condition, was reportedly held at the airport for five days before his health deteriorated and he was taken to an emergency room. His family learned of the hospital visit only after receiving a medical bill, Angeles said.According to Newsweek, Singh’s detention stems from a decades-old minor offense involving the use of a pay phone without payment, a matter for which he had already served his sentence. Angeles argued that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has prolonged Singh’s custody despite a bond ruling in his favor, calling the tactics “legal yet arguably unethical.”The case highlights broader concerns raised by immigration advocates about President Donald Trump’s immigration policies. Trump campaigned on mass deportations, vowing to target undocumented immigrants with violent criminal records, but critics say enforcement has also swept up lawful residents with old or minor infractions.Singh’s brother, Charanjit Singh, told local station WPTA: “We’re just trying to post the bond, we’re just trying to speak to someone, trying to communicate with someone. We’re lost.”A Customs and Border Protection spokesperson previously told Newsweek: “A green card is a privilege, not a right, and under our nation’s laws, our government has the authority to revoke a green card if our laws are broken and abused. Lawful permanent residents presenting at a U.S. port of entry with previous criminal convictions may be subject to mandatory detention and/or may be asked to provide additional documentation to be set up for an immigration hearing.”Singh’s lawyer has filed an appeal and is seeking immediate federal court review, Newsweek reported.Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:chandigarh