Arkansas Resident Seeks to Regain Visa Status Following Arrest Due to ‘Opium’ Perfume Bottle
An Arkansas resident, detained for one month by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after law enforcement misidentified his perfume bottle labeled “Opium” for real opium, is now seeking to have his visa status restored after accusations were dropped.
Traffic Stop Leads to Unexpected Arrest
The individual, an Indian national married to an US citizen and working towards American citizenship, was apprehended on 3 May after law enforcement in Benton, a city in Arkansas, pulled him over for a non-moving traffic violation, according to his attorney.
During the traffic stop, police discovered a small perfume bottle in his vehicle labeled “Opium” and took into custody the man for suspected narcotics possession, despite his explanation that the container contained perfume and the name “opium” referred to the aroma.
“You got a vial of opium that was in your center console,” an officer told Raghu. “Please have a seat.”
“I was obeying all rules when stopped. I had done nothing incorrect,” stated Raghu, adding that he was making a food delivery when stopped.
His wife, Raghu’s spouse, arrived at the scene and expressed, “I’m confused on why he’s going to jail.”
Lab Results Verify Perfume, Not Opium
The Arkansas State Crime Lab determined that the material in the container was perfume, not opium, yet Raghu spent 72 hours in the Saline county jail, where authorities found an “administrative/legal error” showing his visa status had expired.
ICE officers then took Raghu into custody and transferred him to a federal immigration facility in Louisiana, where he was detained for 30 days.
“She used to call me every night,” he explained to media, speaking beside his wife. “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 Visa Standing Is Still Unresolved
While accusations against Raghu were officially dropped by a judicial authority on May 20th, the immigration detention caused a problem in his journey to becoming a permanent citizen.
Through a donation page to pay for legal fees and living costs, it was mentioned that his work visa was canceled.
“It is my understanding that, though released, Kapil now has a ‘deportation’ status, meaning he can be immediately deported for any minor offense, even jaywalking,” said a declaration from his legal counsel. “Moreover, this status prevents him from working and supporting his family, causing severe hardship.”
Formal Request Sent to Resolve Visa Problems
Raghu sent a formal request to immigration authorities this week, detailing his situation and asking whether his immigration status could be resolved through proper legal channels.
His correspondence stated that his immigration attorney had “did not submit necessary documents on time before my visa lapsed, making me susceptible to my present circumstances.”
“My spouse, my main supporter, now bears all financial responsibilities since I cannot work,” read 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 oversees immigration enforcement, did not immediately provide a response regarding Raghu’s case.