Pennsylvania Man Freed After 43 Years in Prison Denied Bail in Deportation Fight
A Pennsylvania man who spent 43 years in prison before his murder conviction was overturned has been denied bail while he fights deportation. Subramanyam Vedam, 64, will remain in custody as he appeals a 1999 deportation order, a decision made by Immigration Judge Tamar Wilson in Elizabeth, New Jersey.
Conviction Overturned, Immigration Battle Begins
In August, a Pennsylvania judge threw out Vedam’s murder conviction in the 1980 death of a college friend, based on previously undisclosed ballistics evidence from his two trials. However, upon his release from state prison on October 3, Vedam was immediately taken into federal immigration custody. His lawyer, Ava Benach, argued that he would likely have been spared deportation and become a citizen if not for the wrongful murder case, citing immigration laws at the time.
Legal Arguments and Family Support
Benach emphasized that Vedam’s criminal record includes only a minor drug charge from over 40 years ago, involving a small-scale LSD delivery, not serious offenses like importing tons of cocaine. She stated, “He is not a danger to the community. We are talking about offenses that occurred over 40 years ago.” Supporters at the bail hearing included a Centre County prosecutor and the mayor of State College, where Vedam’s late father was a renowned professor at Penn State University.
Judge’s Decision and Government Stance
Judge Wilson ruled that detention is mandatory due to Vedam’s felony drug conviction and agreed with Department of Homeland Security officials who deemed him a safety risk. She noted, “The fact he's been a ‘model prisoner’ does not suggest that out in the general public he's going to be safe.” The Board of Immigration Appeals has agreed to hear his appeal based on exceptional circumstances, but no hearings have been scheduled yet.
Background and Personal Impact
Vedam came to the U.S. legally from India when he was 9 months old, as his parents returned to State College. His sister, Saraswathi Vedam, expressed resilience, saying, “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.” She had planned to bring him home upon his release but instead saw him taken into immigration custody. Vedam is currently held at an 1,800-bed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in central Pennsylvania.
Ongoing Legal and Public Response
The Trump administration had initially pursued a quick deportation, moving Vedam to a detention center in Louisiana last fall before court interventions. A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson previously stated, “Criminal illegal aliens are not welcome in the U.S.” Benach described Vedam’s experience as a profound injustice, noting that his 43 years in prison were not a blank slate but a remarkable journey. The case highlights ongoing debates over immigration enforcement and justice for those wrongfully convicted.
