Masuma Khan, a 64-year-old immigrant, is grappling with the threat of deportation after surviving one of California's deadliest wildfires, the Eaton fire.Khan, who has lived in the US for 28 years, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during a routine immigration check-in on October 6, 2025, despite having no criminal record and a family of US citizens.
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latimes.comaol.comThe Eaton fire, which occurred on January 7, 2025, devastated the Altadena area, destroying over 9,000 structures and claiming 19 lives.
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latimes.comKhan was fortunate to escape with her home intact, but the aftermath of the fire left many immigrants, including her, vulnerable to deportation as the Trump administration intensified immigration raids in Los Angeles.
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latimes.comaol.comKhan's ordeal began when she was taken into custody by ICE agents, who allegedly denied her access to legal representation and medical care during her detention.
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latimes.comShe reported being held in a cold room for nearly a day and later transported to the California City Immigration Processing Center, where she faced inadequate medical treatment for her chronic health conditions, including high blood pressure and asthma.
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latimes.comaol.comThe conditions at the detention facility have been criticized in a federal class-action lawsuit filed by other detainees, who allege inhumane treatment, including lack of access to necessary medications and proper meals.
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latimes.comDespite these claims, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) dismissed allegations of substandard conditions as false.
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latimes.comKhan's immigration status has been precarious since she first arrived in the US in 1997 to care for her daughter, Riya, who was suffering from kidney failure.
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latimes.comAfter years of navigating the immigration system, including falling victim to a scam that led to a deportation order, Khan's legal team is now working to reopen her case and adjust her status.
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latimes.comaol.comIn early November 2025, a federal judge ordered Khan's release, stating that the government could not detain her without a hearing.
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latimes.comThis ruling provided a temporary reprieve, but Khan remains anxious about her future as she continues to check in with immigration authorities regularly.
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aol.comKhan's situation has garnered attention from local politicians, including US Rep.Judy Chu and US Sen.Adam Schiff, who have expressed concern for her well-being and the broader implications of the Trump administration's immigration policies.
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latimes.comHer daughter, Riya, has been actively advocating for her mother, reaching out to lawmakers and using social media to raise awareness about Khan's plight.
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latimes.comaol.comAs Khan navigates this challenging period, she reflects on her life in the US and the sense of home she has built over the years."I cannot leave this country.This is my home," she stated, emphasizing her deep connection to her family and community.
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latimes.comaol.comThe outcome of Khan's legal battle remains uncertain, but her story highlights the ongoing struggles faced by many immigrants in the US amid a climate of heightened enforcement and uncertainty.
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americasvoice.orgaol.comAs the legal process unfolds, Khan and her family hold onto hope for a resolution that will allow them to remain together in the country they call home.
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latimes.comaol.comIn the face of adversity, Khan's resilience shines through, as she continues to fight for her right to stay in the US and rebuild her life after the devastation of the Eaton fire.
