US Courts Halt Deportation of Man Wrongfully Imprisoned for Over 40 Years
In This Article
HIGHLIGHTS
- Subramanyam Vedam, wrongfully imprisoned for over 40 years, faces deportation despite exoneration from a murder conviction.
- Two US courts have issued stays on Vedam's deportation, pending a review of his drug conviction by the Board of Immigration Appeals.
- Vedam, a legal permanent resident brought to the US as an infant, had his citizenship application accepted before his arrest.
- ICE seeks deportation based on a 1988 order linked to a drug conviction, despite Vedam's decades of good behavior and educational achievements in prison.
- Vedam's family argues his weak ties to India and his wrongful imprisonment should prevent deportation.
In a significant legal development, two US courts have temporarily halted the deportation of Subramanyam "Subu" Vedam, a 64-year-old Indian-origin man who spent more than four decades in prison for a murder he did not commit. Vedam, who was exonerated in October after new evidence emerged, now faces deportation due to a separate drug conviction.
Background and Legal Context
Vedam was convicted of murdering his former roommate in 1983, a charge he consistently denied. His conviction was overturned this year, leading to his release on October 3. However, upon release, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained him, citing a 1988 deportation order linked to a drug conviction. Vedam had pleaded no contest to charges of selling LSD and theft in 1984, resulting in a concurrent sentence with his life imprisonment.
Current Legal Proceedings
On the same day last week, an immigration judge and a US District Court in Pennsylvania issued stays on Vedam's deportation. The stays will remain until the Board of Immigration Appeals decides whether to review his drug conviction, a process that could take several months. Vedam's legal team argues that his wrongful imprisonment and subsequent achievements, including earning degrees and contributing to community service, should outweigh the drug charges.
Family and Legal Perspectives
Vedam's family and lawyers emphasize his minimal ties to India, where ICE intends to deport him. His sister, Saraswathi Vedam, expressed hope that the Board of Immigration Appeals will recognize the injustice of deporting a man who endured 43 years of wrongful imprisonment. Ava Benach, Vedam's immigration lawyer, described the case as "truly extraordinary," highlighting the need for a compassionate legal resolution.
WHAT THIS MIGHT MEAN
The outcome of Vedam's case could set a precedent for how US immigration law handles cases involving wrongful imprisonment. If the Board of Immigration Appeals decides to review and potentially overturn his drug conviction, it may influence future cases where deportation is contested on humanitarian grounds. Legal experts suggest that Vedam's case underscores the complexities of immigration law, particularly when intersecting with issues of justice and wrongful imprisonment. As the legal proceedings unfold, the case continues to draw attention to the broader implications of deportation policies on individuals with complex legal histories.
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US Courts Halt Deportation of Man Wrongfully Imprisoned for Over 40 Years
In This Article
Sofia Romano| Published HIGHLIGHTS
- Subramanyam Vedam, wrongfully imprisoned for over 40 years, faces deportation despite exoneration from a murder conviction.
- Two US courts have issued stays on Vedam's deportation, pending a review of his drug conviction by the Board of Immigration Appeals.
- Vedam, a legal permanent resident brought to the US as an infant, had his citizenship application accepted before his arrest.
- ICE seeks deportation based on a 1988 order linked to a drug conviction, despite Vedam's decades of good behavior and educational achievements in prison.
- Vedam's family argues his weak ties to India and his wrongful imprisonment should prevent deportation.
In a significant legal development, two US courts have temporarily halted the deportation of Subramanyam "Subu" Vedam, a 64-year-old Indian-origin man who spent more than four decades in prison for a murder he did not commit. Vedam, who was exonerated in October after new evidence emerged, now faces deportation due to a separate drug conviction.
Background and Legal Context
Vedam was convicted of murdering his former roommate in 1983, a charge he consistently denied. His conviction was overturned this year, leading to his release on October 3. However, upon release, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained him, citing a 1988 deportation order linked to a drug conviction. Vedam had pleaded no contest to charges of selling LSD and theft in 1984, resulting in a concurrent sentence with his life imprisonment.
Current Legal Proceedings
On the same day last week, an immigration judge and a US District Court in Pennsylvania issued stays on Vedam's deportation. The stays will remain until the Board of Immigration Appeals decides whether to review his drug conviction, a process that could take several months. Vedam's legal team argues that his wrongful imprisonment and subsequent achievements, including earning degrees and contributing to community service, should outweigh the drug charges.
Family and Legal Perspectives
Vedam's family and lawyers emphasize his minimal ties to India, where ICE intends to deport him. His sister, Saraswathi Vedam, expressed hope that the Board of Immigration Appeals will recognize the injustice of deporting a man who endured 43 years of wrongful imprisonment. Ava Benach, Vedam's immigration lawyer, described the case as "truly extraordinary," highlighting the need for a compassionate legal resolution.
WHAT THIS MIGHT MEAN
The outcome of Vedam's case could set a precedent for how US immigration law handles cases involving wrongful imprisonment. If the Board of Immigration Appeals decides to review and potentially overturn his drug conviction, it may influence future cases where deportation is contested on humanitarian grounds. Legal experts suggest that Vedam's case underscores the complexities of immigration law, particularly when intersecting with issues of justice and wrongful imprisonment. As the legal proceedings unfold, the case continues to draw attention to the broader implications of deportation policies on individuals with complex legal histories.
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