A federal court in the US state of Georgia has granted bail to Venkata Narasamamba Vasamsetty, a 57-year-old teacher originally from the Rajahmundry region of Andhra Pradesh.

She was taken into custody by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on August 11 and remained detained for nearly two weeks before the court granted her bail.

Nearly 30 Years in the US

Venkata moved to the United States in 1999, after her husband, a software professional, had settled there.

She obtained her US Green Card in 2013 and has lived in the country for nearly 30 years. She currently works as a teacher with the Wake County Public School System.

She and her husband raised two daughters in the US. One is a doctor, while the other works as an immigration lawyer.

Why Was She Detained?

According to her family, US immigration authorities raised concerns over the length of her stays in India.

Venkata had frequently travelled to India to visit her ailing father. Her relatives believe that these extended and repeated stays eventually became a factor in the immigration proceedings against her.

Family Raises Concerns

Her family has expressed relief following the bail decision but continues to seek clarity over why she was detained despite being a long-term US resident and Green Card holder.

Relatives also alleged that she was handcuffed after her detention and transported in a closed vehicle to a detention facility in Georgia. These claims were made by the family and have not been independently verified.

Claims of Unequal Treatment

A family member alleged that prosecutors strongly opposed Venkata's bail request, while allegedly not opposing bail in several other immigration cases involving Mexican nationals.

The family has raised concerns about what it considers disproportionate treatment of Indians living and working legally in the US. These are allegations from the family and do not establish that discrimination occurred.

Bail Brings Relief, But Case Continues

The Georgia court's bail order has provided temporary relief to Venkata's family. However, questions remain regarding the circumstances that led to her detention and the next steps in her immigration proceedings.

Her case has attracted attention among the Indian-American community, particularly amid heightened immigration enforcement in the United States.