Federal judge orders ICE to immediately release Indonesian man accused of overstaying visa
Share and Follow

A Minnesota federal judge ordered immigration officials to immediately release an Indonesian man who was taken into custody in late March after allegedly overstaying his student visa, reports say. 

Aditya Harsono, 34, has been held at the Kandiyohi County Jail in Willmar since being arrested by ICE agents at his workplace in Marshall on March 27, according to the Minnesota Star Tribune. 

“The Court finds that [Harsono] has shown that he is in custody in violation of the First Amendment and is entitled to a writ of habeas corpus for his immediate release,” the newspaper cited U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez as saying in her ruling Wednesday. 

“The Court finds it is more reasonable to infer that Respondents have detained [Harsono] in retaliation for his speech than because of any professed public safety concern,” Menendez reportedly added. 

ICE HQ

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement headquarters in Washington, D.C. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Harsono’s attorney told Fox 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul that his misdemeanor vandalism conviction is not a deportable offense.

“There seems to be this trend recently where international students who have engaged in some type of activism or expressed, you know, political speech or have expressed, you know, support for Palestine – something along those lines – their student visas get revoked,” Gad said to the station. 

Harsono’s lawyers also argued in court that the government targeted him over posts on the Instagram page of his clothing line, which had pictures with messages such as “Free Palestine” and “Black Lives Matter,” according to the Minnesota Star Tribune.  

Gad did not immediately respond Thursday to a request for comment from Fox News Digital. 

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Channing Tatum, 45, puts on raunchy display with girlfriend, 26

Channing Tatum, 45, Shares Playful Outing with 26-Year-Old Girlfriend

Channing Tatum and his younger girlfriend, Inka Williams, couldn’t keep their hands…
Jacksonville police investigating officer-involved shooting near Bartram Park

Breaking: Jacksonville Police Probe Officer-Involved Shooting Near Bartram Park – Key Details Inside!

Authorities from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office are currently probing an officer-involved shooting…
Four-time Stanley Cup winner Bob Pulford dead at 89

Legendary Four-Time Stanley Cup Champion Bob Pulford Passes Away at 89

Legendary NHL player and Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Bob Pulford passed…
Frantic 911 calls detail moments before Columbus dentist and wife found dead: 'There's a body'

Chilling 911 Calls Reveal Final Moments Before Columbus Dentist and Wife’s Tragic Discovery

The distressing events leading up to the discovery of a Columbus, Ohio…
Video from police shows person of interest in killing of Ohio dentist and wife

Shocking Police Footage Reveals Key Suspect in Ohio Dentist and Wife’s Tragic Murder

In a tragic turn of events, the Columbus community is grappling with…
Trial underway for former Uvalde school police officer accused of slow response to shooting

Former Uvalde School Officer Faces Trial Over Alleged Delayed Response in Shooting Incident

The trial of a former Uvalde, Texas, school police officer is set…
Father arrested on drug, weapons charges as 4-year-old son found dead after New Year's disappearance

Father Detained on Drug and Weapons Charges Following Tragic Discovery of Missing 4-Year-Old Son’s Death

EXCLUSIVE TO FOX: The father of a young Florida boy, who tragically…
Michael Reagan, elder son of former President Ronald Reagan, dies at 80

Michael Reagan, Son of Former President Ronald Reagan, Passes Away at 80

Michael Reagan, the firstborn son of former President Ronald Reagan and actress…