Arkansas Resident Seeks to Regain Immigration Status Following Arrest Over Opium-Scented Fragrance Container
An Arkansas resident, held for 30 days by federal immigration authorities after officers misidentified his fragrance container labeled “Opium” for actual opium, is now seeking to have his visa status reinstated after charges were dismissed.
Traffic Stop Results in Unexpected Detainment
The individual, an Indian national wed to an American woman and pursuing US citizenship, was detained on May 3rd after police officers in a Benton suburb, Arkansas, stopped his vehicle for a non-moving traffic violation, as stated by his legal representative.
During the traffic stop, police discovered a tiny fragrance container in his car labeled “Opium” and arrested the man for alleged drug possession, even though his assertion that the bottle held fragrance and the name “opium” indicated the scent.
“You got a vial of opium that was in your center console,” a police officer informed him. “Go and take a seat.”
“I was not doing anything wrong when he pulled me over. I was following all regulations,” said the detainee, who mentioned he was delivering food when pulled over.
His wife, the man’s partner, reached the location and said, “I don’t understand why he is being arrested.”
Forensic Analysis Verify Perfume, But Not Opium
State forensic experts concluded that the material in the bottle was fragrance, and not opium, yet Raghu remained for three days in the Saline county jail, where officials identified an procedural mistake indicating his immigration status had expired.
Immigration authorities then detained him and transferred him to a federal immigration facility in Louisiana, where he was detained for one month.
“My wife called nightly,” he told reporters, speaking 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.”
Accusations Dismissed, but Visa Standing Remains Unresolved
While charges against Raghu were dismissed by a district court judge on May 20th, the immigration detention created a setback in his journey to becoming a permanent citizen.
Through a donation page to pay for attorney costs and basic expenses, it was stated that his employment authorization was revoked.
“Despite his release, he now faces deportation status, allowing immediate removal for any infraction, including jaywalking,” said a declaration by his legal counsel. “But, more crucially, this classification bars him from working and earning money for his family, which has been devastating for them.”
Formal Request Submitted to Address Immigration Problems
Raghu sent a letter to immigration authorities this week, explaining his case and inquiring whether his legal standing could be resolved through official procedures.
His correspondence explained 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,” said the letter from him. “Increasing legal costs and my inability to provide have made family life very hard and difficult to handle.”
The Department of Homeland Security, which manages immigration enforcement, did not immediately provide a response regarding this situation.
