A man from Arkansas, detained for 30 days by federal immigration authorities after officers mistook his fragrance container labeled “Opium” for real opium, is now seeking to have his visa status restored after accusations were dropped.
The individual, an Indian national married to an US citizen and pursuing American citizenship, was apprehended on May 3rd after law enforcement in Benton, Arkansas, stopped his vehicle for a non-moving traffic violation, as stated by his legal representative.
At the scene, officers found a tiny fragrance container in his car marked “Opium” and took into custody Raghu for alleged drug possession, despite his assertion that the bottle held perfume and the word “opium” referred to the aroma.
“There was a container of opium in your console,” a police officer informed Raghu. “Go and take a seat.”
“I was obeying all rules when stopped. I had done nothing incorrect,” stated Raghu, who mentioned he was delivering food when stopped.
His wife, the man’s partner, arrived at the location and expressed, “I’m confused on why he’s going to jail.”
State forensic experts concluded that the material in the bottle was perfume, and not opium, yet Raghu spent 72 hours in the local detention facility, where officials found an “administrative/legal error” indicating his immigration status had lapsed.
Immigration authorities then took Raghu into custody and transferred him to a federal immigration facility in a Louisiana location, where he was held for 30 days.
“My wife called nightly,” Raghu explained to media, speaking next to his wife. “They were both weeping, with my stepdaughter holding a Bible. She cried frequently. My wife considered selling our vehicles and relocating abroad for a better life.”
While accusations against Raghu were dismissed by a judicial authority on 20 May, the ICE detainment created a problem in his path to becoming a permanent citizen.
In a fundraising effort to pay for legal fees and basic expenses, it was mentioned that Raghu’s work visa was canceled.
“Despite his release, he now faces deportation status, allowing immediate removal for any infraction, including jaywalking,” reads a statement by his legal counsel. “But, more crucially, this classification bars him from working and earning money for his family, which has been devastating for them.”
Raghu sent a formal request to ICE’s legal office this recently, explaining his situation and inquiring whether his immigration status could be resolved through official procedures.
In the letter explained that his legal representative had “failed to timely file the required paperwork before my visa expired, which left me vulnerable and placed me in my current situation”.
“My wife, who has always been my greatest support, is carrying the entire financial burden alone, as I am currently unable to work,” said the letter from him. “Increasing legal costs and my inability to provide have made family life very hard and difficult to handle.”
The Department of Homeland Security, which manages ICE, did not immediately provide a comment regarding Raghu’s case.
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