Subramanyam ‘Subu’ Vedam, who spent 43 years in prison for a murder he did not commit, was exonerated earlier this month after new evidence emerged. However, his newfound freedom was short-lived as he was immediately detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which seeks to deport him to India—a country he left as an infant. Vedam’s legal team is now battling the deportation order, while his family fights to secure his permanent release. His sister, Saraswathi Vedam, described the situation as ‘very different,’ noting that her brother has transitioned from a familiar prison environment to a crowded detention facility where his history of good behavior is unrecognized. Vedam, who maintained his innocence throughout his incarceration, was convicted in the 1980s for the murder of his former roommate, Tom Kinser, and a subsequent drug offense. Despite his exoneration for the murder, his drug conviction remains, providing ICE with grounds for deportation. Vedam’s family emphasizes his deep ties to the U.S., where he has lived since infancy, and his lack of connections to India. His lawyer, Ava Benach, argued that deporting him would compound the injustice he has already endured. The family hopes his decades of good behavior, educational achievements, and community service will influence the immigration court’s decision.
Wrongfully imprisoned for more than 40 years, US man now faces deportation to India
