US deportee from Punjab asked to remove turban and ‘kara’ at San Diego detention centre

Jasnoor Singh, a 19-year-old resident of Nawan Kot village, was detained in the US on Sunday night while en route to Los Angeles from the Mexico border. During his detention at the San Diego detention centre, US authorities asked him to remove his turban, “kara” (steel bangle), and clothes except for his T-shirt and pant.

“They told us it is the law, and they don’t care which religion we belong to,” Jasnoor said, recalling his ordeal. “When detainees voiced their religious beliefs, they were disregarded.”

Jasnoor had paid Rs 55 lakh to an agent to facilitate his journey to the US. After crossing the US border from Tijuana, Mexico, he was detained by the US authorities and deported to India.

Despite his nine-month ordeal and significant financial expenditure, Jasnoor remains determined to explore opportunities in another foreign country. “There’s nothing to achieve in India,” he said. “Even after investing Rs 50 lakh, we can’t achieve anything here.”

Jasnoor’s journey to the US was not easy. He travelled through Ghana, Suriname, Guyana, Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Mexico over eight months. However, his agent had assured him of arranged flights, which did not materialise.

After crossing the border, Jasnoor was heading to Los Angeles when he was apprehended by border patrol staff and taken to the detention centre along with hundred others. He recounted the bitter memories of his journey, including the emotional distress experienced by fellow deportees upon learning of their deportation.

Jasnoor’s unsuccessful attempt to achieve the American dream has not deterred him. He believes his maternal family and relatives in the US are well settled and enjoying life. Despite missing his family during his ‘donkey-route’ journey, Jasnoor feels he had no option but to persevere. “Tough times make us miss our family even more dearly,” he said.