Store owner Dale Patel arrested by ICE, court blocks deportation
Jun 29, 2026·Location: Friendship, ME
Country of origin: India

Dale Patel (also known as Dhavalkumar Kalidas Patel), owner of Wallace's Market in Friendship, Maine, was arrested by ICE agents on June 27 at his workplace. A native of India, Patel allegedly entered the U.S. without authorization on November 1, 2010, and failed to appear for an immigration hearing, resulting in a removal order issued in August 2011. He is being held at Plymouth County Correctional Facility in Massachusetts while his wife Hanna manages the store and cares for their 2.5-year-old U.S.-born son. Attorney Audrey Richardson filed a habeas corpus petition challenging his detention. U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani issued an emergency order preventing Patel's transfer for at least 72 hours and ordering advance notice before any transfer out of Massachusetts. Over 200 community members signed a petition supporting his return, and a GoFundMe campaign raised more than $7,800 to assist the family.
Timeline
Sources
- Residents of midcoast town rally to support local store owner arrested by ICE
bangordailynews.com·Jul 4, 2026·archived copy
- ICE says detained midcoast market operator should have been deported in 2011
bangordailynews.com·Jun 30, 2026·archived copy
- Owner of Friendship market detained by ICE
sunjournal.com·Jun 30, 2026·archived copy
- Gujarati store owner in US held by ICE 15 years after deportation order | Ahmedabad News - The Times of India
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