I’m so happy to share the recent announcemnt that a court has ordered the release of Cary resident Venkata Vasamsetty, who has been detained by ICE for the past two weeks. For the background on this issue, please see my post yesterday: https://blissfullu.com/2026/08/24/speak-out-about-ices-illegal-and-inhumane-detention-of-a-north-carolina-pastor-and-a-wake-county-school-teacher/

Here is the update from the Facebook page of the Cary NC State Senator, Jay Chaudhuri:

Venkata Vasamsetty is coming home.

This morning, an immigration judge granted bail for Venkata, the Cary grandmother and Wake County special needs teacher who has spent the last two weeks in ICE detention at a Georgia facility — despite winning her case in court back in May. The judge determined that DHS could not even meet its burden to show she was a flight risk. Bail was set at $7,500.

More than 50 family members, coworkers, and friends showed up for her virtual bond hearing this morning. Over 8,000 people signed a petition demanding her release. That is what community looks like, and it is exactly why she is coming home.

I’m grateful for everyone who signed our petition. I’m grateful to Congresswoman Deborah Ross for speaking out clearly and calling this detention what it was: illegal.

Venkata followed every rule. She showed up to every appointment. A judge already dismissed the case against her months ago. She should never have been detained in the first place. While I’m relieved this nightmare is ending, it should never have happened to her, or to anyone.

Wake County is ready to welcome her home.

I’m so very happy for her and her family. And I’m happy the community spoke out for her–both our legislators and ordinary citizens like me. Public support blossomed quickly. When I signed the petition in her support earlier this weekend, there were 3,000-some signatures. Senator Chaudhuri says there were over 8,000 responses today.

While she should never have been arrested in the first place, her release is clearly a win for the rule of law, our community, and of course for her and her family. It shows that we can fight back against the illegal actions of ICE and have justice prevail. But it takes attention and resources and activism to ensure our rights and the rights of our neighbors are being protected. Sad to have to say that, but unfortunately, it’s true under this Administration’s leadership.

So let’s definitely celebrate this win. And let’s work to achieve the same result for Gabriel Johnson ( see https://blissfullu.com/2026/08/24/speak-out-about-ices-illegal-and-inhumane-detention-of-a-north-carolina-pastor-and-a-wake-county-school-teacher/).