PHILADELPHIA — A Pennsylvania man, Subramanyam Vedam, was denied bail Tuesday as he continues to fight deportation. Vedam, 64, had spent 43 years in prison after being convicted of murder, a conviction that was overturned in August based on previously undisclosed ballistics evidence.
Years of Legal Battles
Vedam will remain in custody while appealing a 1999 deportation order. The Board of Immigration Appeals agreed this month to hear his appeal, citing “exceptional circumstances.” His legal team argues that, absent the murder conviction, Vedam likely would have been eligible for citizenship, as he would have been released from prison on a drug charge by 1992.
The deportation case has seen intervention from multiple courts. The Trump administration initially attempted a swift deportation, moving Vedam to a detention center in Louisiana last fall, but this was blocked by court orders.
Arguments in the Case
Vedam’s lawyer, Ava Benach, described the prior drug charge as “delivery of LSD on a very small scale,” and argued that Vedam poses no danger to the community, emphasizing the age of the offense – over 40 years ago. Immigration Judge Tamar Wilson, however, stated that detention was mandatory due to the felony drug conviction and agreed with Department of Homeland Security officials who asserted Vedam remains a safety risk.
Supporters, including a Centre County prosecutor and the mayor of State College – where Vedam’s father was a professor at Penn State University – listened remotely to the bail hearing. Vedam is currently held at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in central Pennsylvania, which has a capacity of 1,800 beds.
What’s Next
It remains unclear whether Judge Wilson or another judge will ultimately decide the merits of the deportation case. No future hearings have been scheduled at this time. A possible next step is for the Board of Immigration Appeals to review the case and determine whether to overturn the 1999 deportation order. It is also possible that the case could be further appealed to higher courts.
Vedam’s sister, Saraswathi Vedam, expressed her family’s resilience and continued hope, stating, “Subu is nothing if not resilient, and we’re resolved to emulate the example he sets for us by focusing on the next step in his fight for freedom.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the original charge that led to Vedam’s imprisonment?
Vedam was originally convicted of murder in the 1980 death of a college friend. However, that conviction was overturned in August based on new ballistics evidence.
What is the Department of Homeland Security’s position on this case?
A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson stated last year that “Criminal illegal aliens are not welcome in the U.S.”
What happened when Vedam was released from state prison?
Vedam was released from state prison on October 3, but was immediately taken into federal immigration custody.
Given the complexities of immigration law and the ongoing legal proceedings, what does it imply to seek justice after decades of incarceration?
