Seeking asylum, 68 more youth from Punjab lodged in US detention center in Seattle

CHANDIGARH: While 22 youth from Punjab who entered USA illegally were released last week on bail bond from Krome Service center in Miami, about 68 more youth of Punjab origin are reportedly lodged in Tacoma Northwest Detention Center at En Español in Seattle state. They all have applied for asylum in USA citing various reasons including state repression and fearing danger to their lives from Punjab Police. The US immigration department had released 22 youth on bail bond when they went on hunger strike in the Miami detention center. North American Punjabi Association(NAPA) which is helping the detained youth in USA has now collected information that 68 more youth from Punjab were detained in the Seattle detention center. Satnam Singh chahal Executive Director of NAPA said that they have launched a campaign to find out more youth from Punjab detained by Immigration and Customs enforcement (ICE). He said that Western Regional Communication Director Virginia Kais has informed them by e-mail that 68 youth from Punjab were detained in Seattle detention center.MAPA head said that they all were detained during last 30 days. Most of them were detained from Texas state bordering Maxico which is transit route for illegal immigrants. He said that illegal entry of youth from Punjab in the USA was an indication that a well organised racket of human trafficking is operating in Punjab.Chahal said that they were reacing out to detained youth and trying to help them in getting bail. He said that it takes years before the applications of asylum were decided by the US authorities. The life of illegal immigrants become hell till the time they get asylum or are deported back. He said that it was a painful experience for the families of detained youth.The 22 youth released last week had now gone to their reltives or friends to live till the time thier asylum applications are listed for hearing.