US visa revoked for Indian man after perfume bottle labeled 'opium' sparks confusion

Benton City police in Arkansas pulled Raghu over during a pizza delivery in May and found the bottle.

Despite explaining that the bottle was a custom-designed perfume and the "opium" label referred solely to the fragrance, Raghu was accused of possessing drugs.

"I was not doing anything wrong when he pulled me over. I was following all regulations," Raghu said in an interview with The Saline Courier, as quoted by Hindustan Times.

Raghu, who is married to an American citizen, is now pursuing legal action in hopes of remaining in the United States.

Raghu was initially held for three days at Saline County Jail before being transferred to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Louisiana, where he was detained for 30 days. During this period, his visa was revoked, even though Arkansas' toxicology lab confirmed that the liquid in the bottle was indeed perfume.

The drug possession charge against him was later dismissed by the court, as reported by Hindustan Times.

According to Raghu's attorney, the arrest was made under an "administrative/legal error," as Raghu's visa status had expired. He and his wife noted that they had been working to address the expired visa when he was arrested, that his immigration attorney had failed to timely file the required paperwork.

Though the charges were dropped on May 20 by a district court judge, Raghu's ICE detainment has complicated his path to permanent U.S. citizenship.

"It is my understanding that, although released, Kapil now has a ‘deportation’ status, meaning he can be immediately deported for any minor offense, even jaywalking," his attorney Mike Laux told The Guardian.

This classification also prevents him from working and supporting his family, he added.

Raghu has since sent a letter to ICE's legal office, asking whether his immigration status could be resolved through proper legal channels.