Wrongfully Arrested Twice — Now Fighting for My Future in the U.S.

I’m Tabrez, a recent Public Health graduate from the University of Memphis. In July, I was twice arrested over a fraudulent car tag I unknowingly bought from a dealer — triggering seizures, two hospital stays, and now a legal battle that could cost me my future in America. I’m facing $14,000 in medical bills, legal fees, and the loss of my only car. Every dollar helps me clear my name, and rebuild my life.

Who I Am:

My name is Tabrez Mohammed, originally from India, I graduated with my Masters in Public Health from the University of Memphis last year. I am currently on a F1 Visa enrolled in the OPT STEM extension program. Earlier this summer, I quit my job in Alabama to transition to another role in Albany, NY. 5 days before I was to start in Albany, the company decided that they were no longer going to be supporting employees with my specific visa and they rescinded the job offer.

The Incident:

On Sunday, July 27th at 9:23am I was pulled over by a Memphis police officer for a bad tag on a vehicle that I was on my way to sell. I gave the officer all of the required documentation (my drivers license, bill of sell, and proof of insurance) to prove that I was in legal possession of the vehicle. The tag in question I had purchased a few weeks before from a car dealer, who unbeknownst to me, was fraudulently creating drive-out tags. The arresting officer told me that the tag on my vehicle was fraudulent and arrested me without giving me much understanding of what the charges were. I came to find out later that in the state of Tennessee, a fraudulent tag is considered a felony.

The arrest sent my body into a psychosis non-epileptic seizure which is essentially a panic attack that is so extreme it mimics a seizure in my body. I was seizing for 1-2 minutes and I was unconscious for an undetermined amount of time. When I came to, I was in the Emergency Room at St. Francis Hospital at Bartlett and had no idea what was happening. After extensive tests, I was admitted to the hospital while still in police custody.

After 24 hours in custody, I was told by a Memphis police officer that my charges were dropped and that I was free to go. It was another 24 hours before I was able to be rejoined with my brother and fiancée who had been terrified for my safety and health without any answers for 70 hours. On Tuesday night, July 29th, I was finally discharged from the hospital with a clean bill of health and we thought that the whole nightmare was over.

On Thursday, July 31st I began the process of trying to get my vehicle out of the Memphis police impound lot where I was told that there was still a hold on my vehicle. When I got in touch with the Investigator over my case, he told me that I needed to come to station to answer questions and turn over the fraudulent tag.

My brother and I arrived on Saturday, August 2nd ready to fully cooperate with the police and return my life to normal. I answered all of the police's questions, gave them all of the information for the fraudulent dealer who sold me the tag, and handed over the evidence. As soon as that was done, the Memphis police put me in handcuffs and arrested me again because they stated there was a valid warrant for my arrest. Their plan was to get me to come to the police station with the lie of getting information and to arrest me again. I was never told that there was a warrant for my arrest and was told by the officer in the hospital that I was "free to go".

The panic of another unexpected arrest once again sent body into another seizure. I was taken by ambulance back to St. Francis at Bartlett where they formally diagnosed me with a conversion disorder.

Where We Are Now:

As of today August 10th, two weeks after my initial arrest, I have contacted an attorney to help me fight this case so that I can preserve my clean record. I am an immigrant in this country and I understand that my status here is fragile. Our hope and prayer is that everything will be resolved as soon as possible so that I will be able to continue building the life I have been dreaming of.

Why I Need Your Help:

Unfortunately, I do not currently have medical insurance so the hospital bills that are rolling in are astronomical. Thankfully, someone at St. Francis has pulled some strings and the $115,000 that I owe have been reduced to $14,000. This is a miraculous kindness that we are so grateful for, but to pay this bill by myself would take years.

I am also having to pay attorney fees -- something I never could have imagined or planned for.

On top of that, my car is still stuck at the Memphis Police Impound lot. The vehicle was not one that was very reliable (which is why I was selling it in the first place) but it was the only vehicle that I had. I am still unsure if or when I will get the car back and if I do, I have no idea what the cost will be.

This whole situation has been the scariest thing I have ever faced. These last two weeks have negatively affected my health, my life, my finances, my job opportunities, and my future. If you are able to spare any amount, even if it is only $1, I would be so grateful for your kindness. This experience has been the most terrible thing I have faced since coming to this country, but it has also allowed me to experience so much kindness and love that the world has to offer. Thank you so much for helping me get my life back on track and be able to reach the dreams I have been working so hard to achieve!