Venkata Vasamsetty, a dedicated grandmother and esteemed teacher for special needs children in Cary, North Carolina, is currently facing an unjust situation. Despite being a legal permanent resident and having her immigration case dismissed by a judge, Venkata was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on August 11, 2026. This unlawful detention not only disrupts her life but also impacts our community deeply.

Venkata has severe insulin-dependent Diabetes Mellitus, and requires daily medications and close monitoring. She has been provided inadequate care and no appropriate accommodations for culturally sensitive food that is appropriate for a diabetic.

Venkata has spent years contributing positively to our society, nurturing children with unique needs and loving her family. Her presence and dedication have been invaluable, providing stability and care to those who need it most. ICE's actions disregard her legal status and threaten the well-being of the children and families she supports.

Venkata Vasamsetty was legally here for almost 30 years. She held her green card in the United States since 2013. She’s a teacher with the Wake County Public School System, a homeowner, and a loving mother and grandmother. Her children and grandchildren are United States citizens.  Her criminal record is nonexistent: she does not have so much as a speeding ticket to her name.

In July of 2022, Venkata traveled back to India to see her father, who was suffering from multiple severe medical conditions and getting frailer. While there, Venkata caught COVID-19. Her return to the United States was delayed longer than she had intended, and by the time she returned, a little over six months had passed. At the airport, DHS accused her of having abandoned her green card by staying out “so long”. ICE gave her a date in deportation court, but initially allowed her to go home to her family while the proceedings played out. The only requirement was that she report to ICE’s Charlotte office on a regular basis.

Venkata attended every single ICE appointment. Her then immigration attorney filed paperwork with the immigration court, denying that she had abandoned her green card. A mound of documents proved that Venkata did not have the slightest intention of abandoning her residency, her home, her livelihood, or her family.

DHS had a deadline to prove its case against Venkata. It blew through it. No filing, no evidence, nothing. The judge said it plainly: 'DHS has not met their burden of proving by clear and convincing evidence that Respondent is removable as charged.'

On May 19, 2026, the judge terminated the case against Venkata. DHS never proved its claims. From that day, she was no longer in removal proceedings — and she remained a lawful permanent resident. 

Unfortunately, Venkata still had a scheduled ERO check-in on July 11, 2026. Even though she was no longer in deportation, and should not have been required to attend any further appointments, ICE did not cancel them, and Venkata duly reported as she was asked. She attended her next appointment as scheduled on July 11, 2026, bringing with her a copy of the judge’s order dismissing her deportation case. 

Instead of being told that she no longer needed to report, she was told to come back in another month, as ICE had “not updated their records”, and “the attorney wasn’t there” that day. On August 11, accompanied by her daughter, Venkata went into the Charlotte ICE office once more. She did not come out. 

She was taken to the notorious Irwin County Detention Center in Ocilla, Georgia, recently reopened after having been shut down in 2021 following worrying reports of abuse and human rights violations. 

The legal dismissal of her immigration case should have ensured her freedom, yet this oversight persists. It's crucial to address this grave error immediately, not just for Venkata, but for the principles of justice and humanity. We are calling on ICE to release Venkata Vasamsetty, respecting the lawful ruling and allowing her to return to her vital roles in her family and our community.

We urge community leaders, local officials, and all concerned citizens to step forward and support this cause. This is not just about one person; it is a fight for fair treatment, respect for legal processes, and the very fabric of human dignity.

Please join us in demanding the immediate release of Venkata Vasamsetty by signing this petition. Your voice can help restore justice and compassion for Venkata and others caught in similar situations.