File photo courtesy of NDTV WORLD

 

After serving 43 years for a murder he didn't commit, Subramanyam "Subu" Vedam, was exonerated only to face deportation. The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) took him into custody with plans to deport him to India, a country he left as a baby. His legal team is currently contesting the deportation order, striving to secure his freedom as quickly as possible.

 

In 1980, Mr Vedam was wrongfully convicted of murdering his former roommate, Tom Kinser, whose body was found with a bullet wound months after disappearing. Labelled a "foreigner likely to flee," Mr Vedam was denied bail and sentenced to life in prison. Despite maintaining his innocence, he faced additional sentencing for a separate drug offence, served concurrently.

 

Recent evidence cleared Mr. Vedam of murder, and the Centre County District Attorney, Bernie Cantorna, stated that there would be no retrial. However, the 1988 deportation order related to his past convictions still loomed. The arrest by ICE, citing this order, placed him in a new facility, prompting his family to fight for reopening his immigration case.

 

His family argues against deportation, highlighting Mr Vedam's decades of commendable behaviour, educational achievements, and community service while incarcerated. They emphasise his minimal ties to India and his strong familial connections in North America. His lawyer, Ava Benach, asserts that deporting him now would add to the injustice he has endured.

 

The focus now is on the immigration court, which will review Mr Vedam's case amidst the mounting pressure from his family and supporters to allow him to remain in the US. With both his citizenship application previously accepted and strong ties to US citizens, the battle continues for Mr Vedam to stay in the country he's known all his life.

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Subramanyam Vedam was exonerated but now faces deportation to India.
• He served 43 years for a crime he didn't commit, with a prior 1988 deportation order unresolved.
• His family fights the order, emphasising his strong ties to the US and lack of connections to India.

 

Related Story:

ICE Arrests Chicago Police Officer Over Illegal US Residency

 

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from BBC 2025-10-20

 

 

 

Aww come on this just sucks this period of time is not going to be remembered well in history sad 😞 

1 hour ago, webfact said:

His family argues against deportation, highlighting Mr Vedam's decades of commendable behaviour, educational achievements, and community service while incarcerated. They emphasise his minimal ties to India and his strong familial connections in North America

That is not a qualification for an illegal immigrate to be a “US MAN”

1 minute ago, Tug said:

Aww come on this just sucks this period of time is not going to be remembered well in history sad 😞 

We anticipate the same remark from you coming on the news of the next overstayer in Thailand.

Noone with any empathy should try to deport him. Unfortunately it looks like the US is void of empathy and humanity.

8 minutes ago, stevenl said:

Noone with any empathy should try to deport him. Unfortunately it looks like the US is void of empathy and humanity.

The cruelty is the point.

42 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

The cruelty is the point.

Yea the magastainans get off on it…..sickos…..

2 hours ago, khunJam said:

That is not a qualification for an illegal immigrate to be a “US MAN”

And where does it say he was an illegal immigrant?

2 hours ago, khunJam said:

That is not a qualification for an illegal immigrate to be a “US MAN”

Where did you get the "illegal immigrate" from? Did you read all the way to the end of the post? Where it says "With both his citizenship application previously accepted and strong ties to US citizens"?

It seems obvious he was legally on the US, wrongly convicted and spent the last 43 years in prison for something he didn't do. 

11 minutes ago, mfd101 said:

And where does it say he was an illegal immigrant?

 

It did not.  The article mentioned a deportation order.

 

Mr Vedam, who is a legal permanent resident, had his citizenship application accepted before he was arrested. Both of his parents were also both US citizens.

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ckgz85g6pj0o

I notice there is no mention of restitution or compensation.

This man is due millions for the judicial cock-up and wrongful incarceration he has suffered.

I'm betting he won't be deported with successful appeal, but we'll probably have to search later to find that out. 

1 hour ago, LukKrueng said:

Where did you get the "illegal immigrate" from? Did you read all the way to the end of the post? Where it says "With both his citizenship application previously accepted and strong ties to US citizens"?

It seems obvious he was legally on the US, wrongly convicted and spent the last 43 years in prison for something he didn't do. 

 

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Despite maintaining his innocence, he faced additional sentencing for a separate drug offence, served concurrently.

 

He also had a drug conviction and that got him a deportation order in 1988.  So, ICE seem to be correct in doing what they are doing.  Yes, it does seem like he's been treated in a way that many might find difficult, but the 1988 Order appears to be a fact and it still stands.  Let's see how the appeals go; I know it's the BBC and their reporting can often be a bit liberal, but he might be a reformed character and that might help him - if those reports are accurate of course.

5 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

The cruelty is the point.

 

Actually called 'performative cruelty'.

7 hours ago, khunJam said:

That is not a qualification for an illegal immigrate to be a “US MAN”

“With both his citizenship application previously accepted and strong ties to US citizens, the battle continues for Mr Vedam to stay in the country he's known all his life.” You left this part out. Oops?

Subu must have been legally immigrated with his family when he was a baby. If those 43 years don't count because he was exonerated, he should be a US citizen.

18 hours ago, webfact said:

he faced additional sentencing for a separate drug offence, served concurrently

  Trump wasn't responsible for his incarceration. The fact of the matter below.

Google AI Overview:

"Yes, you can be deported for a drug violation under ICE enforcement. Drug offenses, including convictions for simple possession (with limited exceptions) and trafficking, are grounds for deportation, even for those with legal status. For non-citizens, drug crimes can lead to detention, removal proceedings, and a bar from re-entering the U.S".. 

9 hours ago, riclag said:

  Trump wasn't responsible for his incarceration. The fact of the matter below.

Google AI Overview:

"Yes, you can be deported for a drug violation under ICE enforcement. Drug offenses, including convictions for simple possession (with limited exceptions) and trafficking, are grounds for deportation, even for those with legal status. For non-citizens, drug crimes can lead to detention, removal proceedings, and a bar from re-entering the U.S".. 

So, should he be deported in your opinion?

I was surprised that ICE didn't say he has not shown up at immigration office to report for 43 years straight, a flagrant snubbing of procedure and clearly reason enough to deport.