Indian-origin green card holder detained by ICE after deportation case dismissed

2 min learnNew DelhiUp to date: Aug 18, 2026 04:41 AM IST

Venkata Vasamsetty, an Indian-origin US inexperienced card holder who has lived within the nation for 27 years, has been detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in North Carolina. Her detention got here months after an immigration choose dismissed a deportation case in opposition to her.

Vasamsetty, a grandmother who works with special-needs college students, was detained throughout a scheduled inspection and is at present being held on the Irwin County Detention Middle in Georgia, in accordance with ICE’s On-line Detainee Locator System.

The detention got here months after an immigration choose dismissed the Trump administration’s earlier deportation case in opposition to her, New York Metropolis-based information organisation Newsweek reported.

Why did US search to deport Venkata Vasamsetty?

The US authorities has alleged that Vasamsetty deserted her lawful everlasting residency after spending a number of months in India whereas recovering from Covid-19 and caring for an ailing dad or mum in 2022.

Nevertheless, these claims had been disputed by Vasamsetty’s lawyer and household, who maintained that Vasamsetty continued her ties with the US by way of her employment, household, and residential.

How lengthy has Venkata Vasamsetty lived within the US?

Vasamsetty has been a lawful everlasting resident since 2013 and has lived within the US for 27 years, whereas working with special-needs college students in North Carolina, in accordance with a LinkedIn publish by immigration lawyer Zoe Wilson, a good friend and former colleague of Vasamsetty’s daughter.

Within the publish, Wilson wrote: “Mrs. Venkata Narsamamba Vasamsetty is a inexperienced card holder. She has no prison historical past. She has lived lawfully on this nation for many years,” including that she has maintained “lawful immigration standing all through that point.”

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Can a inexperienced card holder be deported from the US?

Whereas lawful everlasting residents are authorised to stay completely in America, inexperienced card holders can nonetheless face removing proceedings from the nation in some circumstances.

In keeping with the Division of Homeland Safety (DHS), over 1.3 million individuals acquired inexperienced playing cards within the fiscal 12 months 2025.

Why is Venkata Vasamsetty’s ICE detention being challenged?

The authorized staff of Vasamsetty has filed an emergency habeas corpus petition difficult her detention by ICE within the Georgia detention centre. A federal choose, on August 13, ordered the immigration company to clarify the authorized foundation for her detention inside three days.

2013: Grew to become a lawful everlasting resident/inexperienced card holder.

2022: Spent a number of months in India whereas recovering from Covid-19 and caring for an ailing dad or mum.

Earlier deportation case: US authorities alleged she had deserted her everlasting residency; her aspect disputed this.

Could 2026: Immigration choose dismissed the deportation case.

August 13: Federal choose ordered ICE to clarify the authorized foundation for her detention inside three days.

Now: Vasamsetty stays detained at Irwin County Detention Middle, in accordance with the ICE detainee locator.

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