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Wrongfully imprisoned for more than 40 years, US man now faces deportation to India

October 18, 2025

Subramanyam "Subu" Vedam was exonerated after serving 43 years for a murder he didn't commit, but was immediately taken into custody by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for deportation to India. ICE is enforcing a 1988 deportation order based on his prior convictions, despite the murder charge being overturned and despite Vedam having minimal ties to India, where he hasn't lived since infancy. His family and legal team are now fighting the deportation order, highlighting his good behavior in prison, his completion of three degrees, his community service, and the fact that his community and family are in the US and Canada.

Who is affected

  • Subramanyam "Subu" Vedam, who served 43 years for a murder he didn't commit
  • Vedam's family, including his sister Saraswathi Vedam and her four daughters
  • Other family members in the US and Canada
  • 60 other men detained with Vedam in the ICE facility

What action is being taken

  • ICE is keeping Vedam in custody pending deportation to India based on a 1988 deportation order
  • Vedam's legal team is fighting the deportation order
  • His family is working to navigate this new situation and get him released from custody
  • Vedam's lawyer, Ava Benach, is advocating against his deportation

Why it matters

  • Vedam is facing potential deportation to India, a country he left when he was nine months old and where he has few connections
  • After 43 years of wrongful imprisonment for murder, Vedam now faces another potential injustice
  • Vedam's family would be separated from him again if he's deported, with his sister saying "it's almost like having his life stolen twice"
  • Despite his exoneration, good behavior in prison, completion of three degrees, and community service, Vedam's prior drug conviction is being used to justify deportation
  • Vedam is a legal permanent resident whose citizenship application had been accepted before his arrest

What's next

  • No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC