Man Freed After 43 Years in Prison Faces Deportation, Denied Bail

Subramanyam Vedam, 64, continues to fight deportation after his murder conviction was overturned.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Subramanyam Vedam, a Pennsylvania man who spent 43 years in prison after being convicted of murder, was denied bail as he continues to fight deportation. Vedam's conviction was overturned in August based on previously undisclosed ballistics evidence, but he now faces a 1999 deportation order due to a prior drug conviction.

Why it matters

This case highlights the complex intersection of criminal justice and immigration law, where a past conviction, even one later overturned, can have lasting and severe consequences, potentially leading to deportation for long-term residents.

The details

Vedam, 64, initially came to the U.S. legally from India at 9 months old when his parents returned to State College. After his murder conviction was overturned, Vedam was released from state prison in October but was immediately taken into federal immigration custody. His legal team argues that without the murder conviction, Vedam likely would have been eligible for citizenship by 1992 when he would have been released on the drug charge. However, immigration officials assert that Vedam remains a safety risk due to the prior felony drug conviction.

  • Vedam's murder conviction was overturned in August 2026.
  • Vedam was released from state prison on October 3, 2026.
  • The Board of Immigration Appeals agreed this month to hear Vedam's appeal, citing 'exceptional circumstances'.

The players

Subramanyam Vedam

A 64-year-old Pennsylvania man who spent 43 years in prison after being convicted of murder, a conviction that was later overturned.

Ava Benach

Vedam's lawyer, who described his prior drug charge as 'delivery of LSD on a very small scale' and argued that Vedam poses no danger to the community.

Tamar Wilson

The immigration judge who denied Vedam bail, stating that detention was mandatory due to the felony drug conviction and agreeing with Department of Homeland Security officials who asserted Vedam remains a safety risk.

Saraswathi Vedam

Vedam's sister, who expressed the family's resilience and continued hope in Vedam's fight for freedom.

Department of Homeland Security

The government agency that asserted Vedam remains a safety risk and argued for his deportation.

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What they’re 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.”

— Saraswathi Vedam, Vedam's sister

What’s next

It remains unclear whether Judge Wilson or another judge will ultimately decide the merits of the deportation case. No future hearings have been scheduled at this time. A possible next step is for the Board of Immigration Appeals to review the case and determine whether to overturn the 1999 deportation order. It is also possible that the case could be further appealed to higher courts.

The takeaway

This case highlights the complex interplay between the criminal justice system and immigration law, where a past conviction, even one later overturned, can have lasting consequences for long-term residents. It underscores the need for a more nuanced approach that considers the individual circumstances and the potential for rehabilitation.