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By Billal Rahman
Immigration Reporter
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Federal immigration authorities detained a Minnesota father in a hospital basement days after his student visa was revoked.
Aditya Harsono, who had been living in Marshall and working as a hospital supply chain manager, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on March 27.
The 33-year-old had been legally residing in the United States until March 23, when his visa was unexpectedly revoked. He is currently being held at Kandiyohi County Jail.
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"What is particularly troubling about the circumstances surrounding Mr. Harsono's arrest is that his employers, who held him in such high regard, were essentially coerced into staging a meeting in the hospital basement solely to facilitate ICE's apprehension of him," family attorney Sarah Gad told Newsweek.
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Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told Newsweek that "law enforcement determined he poses a public safety threat."
The family chose not to disclose the name of the hospital where Aditya Harsono was employed, citing concerns over potential repercussions. He was let go from his position after his arrest.
Newsweek reached out to the hospital, ICE and the U.S. Department of State for comment.
Why It Matters
President Donald Trump has pledged to conduct the largest deportation operation in American history as his administration looks to remove millions of undocumented immigrants. The White House has said anyone living in the country unlawfully is considered a "criminal" by the federal government.
Since the beginning of Trump's second term, thousands of migrants have been arrested. Under the Trump administration, ICE has gained expanded powers in enforcement, including the right to conduct raids in hospitals and other sensitive locations.
What To Know
The revocation of Aditya Harsono's visa stems from a 2022 misdemeanor conviction due to spray painting graffiti and an arrest during the George Floyd protests, in which he was cited for unlawful assembly.
That protest-related charge was later dismissed in the interest of justice, according to documents seen by Newsweek. The family believes that Aditya Harsono's past political activism may have influenced the decision to revoke his visa.
An immigration judge granted him bond, briefly offering the family hope for his release. However, the Department of Homeland Security is now appealing that decision, further complicating efforts to reunite him with his family. His immigration status is currently in the process of being adjusted.
"It's just torn us apart, messed our life up for literally no reason, and it's happening to so many families," his wife, Peyton Harsono, told Newsweek.
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The detention has had significant repercussions for his family, including his wife and their 8-month-old daughter. Peyton Harsono said she has been experiencing severe emotional and financial strain. She has faced challenges supporting their household alone after Aditya Harsono lost his job while in detention.
"It's been very chaotic and exhausting. I work at a chemical dependency residential treatment center, so I'm constantly taking care of other people 40 hours a week, and then by the time I get home, I'm taking care of her," she said.
She added that it is heartbreaking that her husband is missing milestones in their daughter's development.
"She's changed so much; she's doing things that she couldn't do when he left, she's saying things that she couldn't say before, and he's missing out on all of it," Peyton Harsono said.
Aditya Harsono, a practicing Muslim, also missed what was meant to be his first Eid celebration with his daughter.
ICE has claimed in a letter reviewed by Newsweek that Aditya Harsono's visa was revoked because he poses a "threat to U.S. public safety." The letter also stated that the revocation would be "silent" and that the state department would not notify Harsono of the change due to "ongoing ICE operational security."
"Apparently he was so dangerous that you couldn't give notice to revoke his visa," his wife said.
Peyton Harsono believes it is "possible" that her husband was detained due to his support for Palestine. She said they often discussed it at home.
The family argues that Aditya Harsono remains legally present in the U.S. due to pending I-130 and I-485 applications for adjustment of status, which were filed before his visa was revoked.
The I-130 is a petition to establish a qualifying family relationship for a green card, and the I-485 is an application to adjust status to permanent resident. Together, they help eligible immigrants become lawful permanent residents through a U.S. citizen or green card-holding relative.
"ICE's decision to revoke his visa without notice and then charge him with 'overstaying' his visa just four days later was a clear attempt to label him as an 'illegal' immigrant," Gad said.
"However, even without his student visa, Mr. Harsono was, and remains, lawfully present in the U.S. due to his pending I-130 and I-485 applications for adjustment of status, which we filed long before his student visa was arbitrarily revoked by DHS."
Aditya Harsono is the third student who attended Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) to have their student visa revoked in recent months.
What People Are Saying
Peyton Harsono told Newsweek: I think that the fact his country of origin being a predominantly Muslim country has all to kind of play into it because I mean the charge was dismissed, and they keep on bringing it up and talking about his attendance at the protest.
Attorney Sarah Gad told Newsweek: "This was not a case where my client was arrested for committing a crime and then transferred to ICE. Mr. Harsono has been a law-abiding, tax-paying resident of the United States, and his employment was authorized under OPT following the successful completion of his education."
DHS' Tricia McLaughlin told Newsweek: "U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested Aditya Wahyu Harsono of Indonesia March 27 at his place of work. Harsono entered the United States legally on Jan. 7, 2015. Harsono was arrested by Lyon County Sheriff's Office Oct. 18, 2022, for damage to property and convicted on Feb. 7, 2023. US law enforcement determined he poses a public safety threat."
What Happens Next
Aditya Harsono has a court hearing in Saint Paul on April 17.
Update and correction 4/16/25, 6:38 a.m. ET: This article was updated with comment from DHS' Tricia McLaughlin and to correct a spelling of Aditya Harsono.
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