Indian-Origin Grandmother Granted Bail in US Immigration Case

Venkata Vasamsetty, an Indian-origin grandmother residing in the U.S. for decades with a Green Card, has been granted bail following her detention by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). While released from detention, her immigration case remains ongoing, with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) designating her a flight risk.

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not a danger to the community but she posed a significant flight risk

Vasamsetty was detained in August during a routine immigration check-in. The situation arose after she traveled to India during the COVID-19 pandemic and stayed for over six months due to hospitalization. Although her family asserts she won a legal case proving she did not intend to abandon her U.S. residency, she was subsequently detained.

During a bond hearing, a DHS attorney argued that Vasamsetty, while not a danger to the community, poses a significant flight risk. This assessment was based on her travel history between the U.S. and India, citing periods spent abroad that raised questions about her maintaining permanent residency. The DHS pointed to her having spent 61 days in the U.S. in 2019, 96 days in 2021, and 67 days in 2022, noting that Green Card holders are generally required to reside in the U.S. for at least six months annually.

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her time abroad raised questions about whether she maintained her permanent residency and demonstrated an ability to leave the country again.

Vasamsetty's attorney countered that these trips were primarily to care for her aging parents, including her father before his passing. The family also disputes the accuracy of the travel dates presented by the DHS. The attorney emphasized Vasamsetty's consistent compliance with court appearances and ICE check-ins in a previous removal case, along with her lack of criminal history.

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these trips were mostly for caring her aging parents, including her father before his death.

Ultimately, the judge acknowledged Vasamsetty's strong ties to the United States, including her husband, two U.S. citizen daughters, grandchildren, property, and extensive tax records. While recognizing some flight risk due to her international travel resources and history, the judge found the DHS had not met its burden of proof for detention. Bail was set at $7,500, with conditions including appearance at all future court dates and compliance with court orders.

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Vasamsetty's history of compliance weighed heavily in the decision.