ICE Detains Green Card Holder in Charlotte Despite Judge Closing Deportation Case
On August 11, 2026, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents detained teacher and permanent resident Venkata Vasamsetty at a routine check-in in Charlotte, North Carolina, according to court records and legal defense statements. The detention occurred despite an immigration judge closing her previous deportation case in May, exposing ongoing vulnerabilities for lawful permanent residents returning from extended international travel.
According to reporting from Noticias País, Vasamsetty had traveled to India in July 2022 to care for her ailing father. Subsequent health complications and a bout with COVID-19 delayed her return until February 2023, placing her outside the United States for approximately seven months.
The Legal Timeline and the 180-Day Rule
Federal guidelines managed by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services dictate that an absence of 181 days or more can trigger a broader immigration review. However, crossing that numerical threshold does not trigger automatic revocation. Vasamsetty’s defense maintained throughout her initial proceedings that she retained deep, continuous ties to North Carolina, including her home, employment, and immediate family.
On May 19, 2026, an immigration judge formally closed her removal proceedings after determining that the government failed to prove abandonment. According to her legal team, local Charlotte ICE officials stated that their internal database had not yet updated to reflect the judge’s dismissal order when she appeared for her mandatory reporting appointment. That bureaucratic gap led directly to her arrest and subsequent transfer to the Irwin County Detention Center in Georgia, where records show she was housed as of August 14, 2026.
Federal court filings submitted by her defense on August 12 moved swiftly to challenge the legality of the detention. Government attorneys subsequently acknowledged that Vasamsetty is entitled to a bond hearing before an immigration judge to evaluate her release conditions.
Navigating Long-Term Travel for Lawful Permanent Residents
Immigration attorneys consistently advise green card holders planning extended trips abroad—particularly those exceeding six months—to secure a reentry permit via Form I-131 before leaving U.S. soil. Furthermore, maintaining clear documentation of ongoing tax obligations, property ownership, and employment can help counter abandonment claims upon re-entry.
