Two Judges Tell ICE Not To Deport Subramanyam Vedam

India-West News Desk

PHILADELPHIA, PA – Two judges have blocked the deportation of Subramanyam Vedam, the Pennsylvania man who spent more than 40 years in prison for a murder conviction that was recently overturned.

Vedam, 64, known to his family as “Subbu,” was brought to the United States from India by his parents when he was nine months old. A legal permanent resident, Vedam had reportedly had his citizenship application accepted prior to his 1982 arrest, his lawyer said.

An immigration judge has now issued a stay of deportation until the Board of Immigration Appeals decides whether to review his case, a process that could take several months. On the same day, Vedam’s lawyers also secured a stay in U.S. district court in Pennsylvania, although that case may be affected by the immigration court ruling, the Associated Press said. Vedam is currently being held at a short-term detention center in Alexandria, Louisiana, which has an airstrip for deportations.

Vedam was convicted of murder in 1983 and sentenced to life in prison. A year later, he received an additional two-and-a-half to five-year sentence for a drug offense, to be served concurrently as part of a plea deal. Throughout his imprisonment, Vedam maintained his innocence. Earlier this year, his murder conviction was overturned, leading to his release from state prison on October 3. However, he was immediately taken into immigration custody.

The case has drawn widespread attention and sympathy. Malathi Rao, posted on India West that Vedam’s parents were longtime friends of hers in India, said, “They suffered their son’s unfortunate destiny, never giving up faith in his innocence. Subbu’s life of dedication to good causes from the four walls of prison is a proof of his and his parents’ integrity. He deserves to be free at least to regain his peace of mind at this stage of his life. God help him in his prayers.”