Archive · 4 Nov 2025
US Courts Halt Deportation of Man Wrongfully Imprisoned for 43 Years
A man named Subu came to the U.S. when he was a baby.
When he grew up, he was wrongly accused of murder and sent to prison for over 43 years.
Even though the murder charge was finally cleared, he was about to be sent back to his home country.
But, two courts in the U.S. said he cannot be deported right now.
This is because they need to look more into his case, especially since he spent so many years in jail for something he didn't do.
His lawyers are trying to make sure he can stay because he was wrongly punished for so long.
Subramanyam 'Subu' Vedam, an Indian-origin man, had his murder conviction overturned after serving over 43 years in prison.
He was released from prison on October 3 but immediately taken into U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody.
Two separate U.S. courts have issued orders to halt Vedam's deportation.
An immigration judge stayed his deportation pending a review by the Bureau of Immigration Appeals.
ICE seeks to deport Vedam based on a prior drug conviction, while his lawyers argue his wrongful imprisonment outweighs this.
- Who
- Subramanyam 'Subu' Vedam, an Indian-origin man and legal permanent resident of the US
- What
- Two US courts ordered ICE to halt his deportation after his murder conviction was overturned and he was taken into immigration custody upon release from prison.
- When
- His murder conviction was overturned this year, he was released from prison on October 3, and courts issued deportation halts recently.
- Where
- Pennsylvania, United States, and currently detained at a facility in Alexandria, Louisiana.
- Why
- To prevent his deportation while legal reviews are pending regarding his status following the overturning of a wrongful murder conviction and an old drug conviction.
- Name
- Subramanyam 'Subu' Vedam
- Age
- 64
- Original Arrest Year
- 1982
- Years Imprisoned
- Over 43 years
- Conviction Overturned
- 1980 murder charge
- Detained By
- ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement)
- Current Location
- Alexandria, Louisiana facility