(FORT WAYNE) - A Fort Wayne business owner has returned home after spending nearly five months in federal immigration custody, a detention his attorney says should never have happened.
Paramjit Singh, a longtime permanent U.S. resident originally from India, was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement last July when he arrived at an airport after traveling overseas. Federal officials cited a decades-old larceny case from 1999 as the reason for the detention.
Singh's attorney says those claims were later disproven. Court action vacated Singh's prior convictions, forcing the Department of Homeland Security to release him and restore his legal permanent resident status. Singh returned home on Jan. 6.
During his detention, federal officials publicly described Singh as an "illegal alien" and a "fraudster," statements his attorney says were inaccurate and damaging. The family also disputed claims that they were never billed for Singh's medical care while he was in custody, saying they are still receiving charges.
Singh's family says they are relieved to be reunited and are now considering legal options, including possible restitution. DHS has not yet responded to a request for comment.