PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Subramanyam Vedam, who spent over four decades struggling to clear his name after being falsely convicted of murder, was set to be released from Pennsylvania prison this month. However, the circumstances have drastically shifted as he was taken into federal custody due to a 1999 immigration deportation order.
Vedam and his friend Thomas Kinser were both 19-year-old sons of Penn State faculty when Kinser disappeared in 1980. Despite the lack of witnesses and solid evidence, Vedam faced two trials and was convicted, ultimately serving 43 years before new evidence led a judge to overturn his conviction in August.
Newly revealed ballistics evidence suggested that the bullet that killed Kinser could not have come from the gun Vedam allegedly used. His exoneration came as a huge relief for supporters, including Vedam’s family and attorney Gopal Balachandran. Yet, as his sister prepared to bring him home on October 3, he faced immigration authorities instead.
Now, Vedam must confront a fresh challenge as he appeals the deportation order related to a prior drug conviction. Amid heightened deportation efforts by the Trump administration, Vedam’s attorneys are tasked with convincing immigration judges that his time served in prison for a wrongful conviction should factor into the legalities surrounding his immigration status.
“He was someone who’s suffered a profound injustice,” stated immigration lawyer Ava Benach. “Forty-three years of wrongful imprisonment far outweighs the 1980s drug conviction.” Vedam's case continues to draw attention as a testament to the complexities of justice and the potential overlap with immigration law.
The community is rallying in support of Vedam, illustrating the ongoing struggles of individuals caught in the crosshairs of legal and immigration systems. As his life hangs in the balance, Vedam remains hopeful, reflecting on the long fight for truth and justice.
