An Arkansas resident, detained for 30 days by federal immigration authorities after officers misidentified his perfume bottle labeled “Opium” for real opium, is now seeking to have his immigration standing restored after charges were dropped.
Traffic Stop Results in Unexpected Detainment
The individual, an citizen of India married to an US citizen and pursuing American citizenship, was detained on 3 May after police officers in a Benton suburb, Arkansas, stopped his vehicle for a minor traffic infraction, according to his legal representative.
At the scene, police discovered a small perfume bottle in his vehicle marked “Opium” and took into custody Raghu for suspected narcotics possession, despite his assertion that the container contained perfume and the word “opium” indicated the aroma.
“There was a container of opium in your console,” a police officer told him. “Go and take a seat.”
“I was not doing anything wrong when he pulled me over. I was following all regulations,” stated the detainee, who mentioned he was making a food delivery when pulled over.
Ashley Mays, the man’s partner, reached the scene and said, “I’m confused on why he’s going to jail.”
Forensic Analysis Confirm Fragrance, But Not Narcotics
The Arkansas State Crime Lab determined that the substance in the bottle was fragrance, not opium, yet Raghu remained for three days in the Saline county jail, where authorities identified an procedural mistake showing his visa status had expired.
Immigration authorities then took Raghu into custody and moved him to a federal immigration facility in Louisiana, where he was held for 30 days.
“My wife called nightly,” Raghu explained to media, talking next to his spouse. “Crying, and my stepdaughter putting a Bible on her chest, crying. My stepdaughter was crying a lot. And she [Mays] was planning to sell her cars and move to some other country where we can live happily.”
Charges Dropped, but Immigration Status Is Still Unresolved
While accusations against him were officially dropped by a district court judge on May 20th, the immigration detention created a setback in his path to becoming a permanent citizen.
In a fundraising effort to pay for legal fees and basic expenses, it was stated that his employment authorization was canceled.
“Despite his release, he now faces deportation status, allowing immediate removal for any infraction, including jaywalking,” said a declaration from his attorney. “But, more crucially, this classification bars him from working and earning money for his family, which has been devastating for them.”
Legal Appeal Submitted to Resolve Immigration Issues
The individual submitted a formal request to ICE’s legal office this recently, detailing his case and asking whether his legal standing could be rectified through official procedures.
In the letter stated 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,” read the document from Raghu. “Increasing legal costs and my inability to provide have made family life very hard and difficult to handle.”
Federal authorities, which oversees immigration enforcement, did not immediately provide a comment regarding Raghu’s case.
