Judge Blocks 15-Year-Old Deportation Order for Friendship Market Operator

A federal judge has temporarily blocked the deportation of Dhavalkumar Kalidas Patel, who was detained by four U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on June 27, 2026, at Wallace's Market on Harbor Road in Friendship, according to the Midcoast Villager and the Bangor Daily News. Patel and his wife operate the market, which is registered to Robert Gregory of Damariscotta. ICE said Patel, a native of India, entered the country illegally in November 2010, was released from custody in March 2011 pending removal proceedings, and was ordered deported by an immigration judge on Aug. 8, 2011, after failing to appear for a hearing. A lawyer with Greater Boston Legal Services filed a habeas corpus petition arguing the arrest violated Patel's due process rights, and a U.S. District Court judge granted an emergency stay. On June 29, 2026, another district judge barred federal authorities from deporting Patel and ordered that he not be moved to another district without 72 hours' notice. Patel is being held at an ICE facility in Burlington, Massachusetts. The Bangor Daily News could not independently confirm the timeline ICE provided.

This story was first reported by Bangor Daily News.