by WJAC staff/Gary SindersonThu, April 2, 2026 at 10:42 AMUpdated Thu, April 2, 2026 at 5:07 PMJudge overturns immigration order against Subu Vedam (FILE)CENTRE COUNTY, Pa (WJAC) — Taking the stand and fighting for his freedom turned into a victory for Subramanyam Vedam.An immigration judge on Thursday morning granted Vedam’s appeal, allowing him to remain in the United States and overturning a deportation order that was first issued more than 30 years ago.In issuing the ruling, the judge said Vedam “does not pose a danger to the community” and pointed to his actions while incarcerated as evidence of “good moral character.”The judge cited a long list of accomplishments during Vedam’s decades in prison, including educating himself and starting a literacy program.The Department of Homeland Security now has until May 4 to appeal the judge’s decision to the Board of Immigration Appeal.Vedam’s legal counsel said it’s asking for a bond hearing.The decision comes after Vedam testified Wednesday in federal immigration court, appearing virtually from the Moshannon Valley ICE Processing Center, where he has been held by Homeland Security officials while appealing the longstanding deportation order.Much of his testimony focused on his criminal history, primarily between 1980 and 1983, with Vedam describing himself at the time as “young and stupid.”Vedam was convicted in 1983 of first-degree murder in the shooting death of Thomas Kinser. During the hearing, he denied shooting Kinser or anyone else, saying he had been smoking marijuana and drinking beer with Kinser and was shocked to later learn of his death.That murder conviction was vacated last year. However, Vedam also acknowledged that in the early 1980s he sold LSD, charges to which he later pleaded no contest.Federal authorities originally obtained the deportation order based on that criminal history, and Homeland Security has labeled Vedam a career criminal in its effort to deport him to India.Several family members, friends, and State College Mayor Ezra Nanes were among those expected to testify on Vedam’s behalf.Vedam told the judge that if released, he plans to move to Sacramento, California, to live with relatives and continue his college education.He argued he should be allowed to remain in the country after spending 43 years in prison for a crime he maintains he did not commit.