Anila Ajitkumar Ved, a 70-year-old Indian-origin grandmother and lawful permanent resident of the United States, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in San Antonio, Texas, on May 14, 2024. The detention occurred during what was described as a routine immigration check-in. Ms. Ved has resided in the U.S. for 30 years, holding a Green Card for a significant portion of that time. Her daughter, Anamika Ved, is an immigration attorney who is now actively working to secure her mother's release and challenge the basis of the detention.

The detention reportedly stems from a 2005 deportation order that Ms. Ved's family claims they were unaware of until recently. According to reports, the order was issued following an overstay of a visa in the 1990s, an issue that predates her obtaining lawful permanent residency. Anamika Ved states the family was never notified of the 2005 order, suggesting it may have been issued in absentia. Ms. Ved, who lives in Irving, Texas, was taken into custody and is currently being held at the Pearsall ICE Processing Center in Texas.

This case highlights the complexities within the U.S. immigration system, particularly regarding how past immigration issues can impact Green Card holders decades later. The family underscores the unexpected nature of the detention for an individual who has lived lawfully in the country for an extended period.

Key details surrounding the case include:

  • Individual Detained: Anila Ajitkumar Ved, 70, a lawful permanent resident (Green Card holder) of Indian origin.
  • Duration in U.S.: 30 years.
  • Date and Location of Detention: May 14, 2024, at an ICE office in San Antonio, Texas.
  • Alleged Basis for Detention: A deportation order issued in 2005, which the family claims was unknown to them. This order is reportedly linked to an earlier visa overstay in the 1990s.
  • Family Involvement: Her daughter, Anamika Ved, is an immigration attorney.
  • Current Holding Facility: Pearsall ICE Processing Center, Texas.
  • Health Concerns: Ms. Ved has pre-existing medical conditions, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and a heart condition.

Anamika Ved has filed an emergency motion for a stay of removal and is pursuing all available legal avenues to challenge the 2005 deportation order. The efforts include appealing to ICE and working through the judicial system to address what the family describes as an administrative oversight leading to an unjust detention. The family maintains that Ms. Ved poses no flight risk or danger to the community, emphasizing her long-standing presence and ties to the U.S.

As of the latest reports, Anila Ved remains in ICE custody, awaiting further legal proceedings. Her daughter's legal team is preparing for upcoming hearings and continuing to advocate for her release, aiming to resolve the long-standing deportation order that has now resurfaced. The outcome of this case could offer further insight into the enforcement priorities and procedural nuances for Green Card holders with historical immigration matters.