By Jack Nicas

Vincente Lebron, drummer with the Somerville-based band Either/Orchestra, was freed from the South Bay House of Correction on Thursday, Sept. 4, almost three months after first being locked up on an immigration detainer. U.S. Immigration Judge Leonard Shapiro dropped deportation proceedings against Lebron after his two prior convictions were vacated. 

Lebron was detained in May at Logan Airport upon returning from his band’s European tour. His passport and green card were confiscated on the grounds of his prior convictions, which, at a July 10 hearing, Shapiro said were drug possession charges.

According to U.S. law, every time a legal immigrant reenters the country, he or she is subject to 46 grounds of inadmissibility. After a 1998 immigration reform, any immigrant charged, arrested or released after October 8, 1998 may be subject to mandatory detention, without the option of bond.

Lebron’s attorney Lanore Glaser asked the judges from Lebron’s past convictions to vacate the drug possession charges. When they complied, federal officials had no grounds for deportation and Shapiro dropped the case.

Either/Orchestra bandleader Russ Gershon said the case garnered “quite a bit of community support,” illustrated by the large turnout to a “Free Vincente Lebron” benefit concert in July and numerous donations sent in by mail. The Jazz Foundation in New York also contributed a grant, Gershon said.

Lebron, a nearly 40-year U.S. resident and father and grandfather of U.S.-born citizens, now looks to become one himself. Gershon said on the Either/Orchestra website that the band is now raising money for this “increasingly expensive” endeavor.

However, for now, Lebron is back to what he knows best: the congas. Two days following his release, Lebron played his first show with Gershon at The Beehive in Boston. On Sunday, Lebron and band mates traveled to Lake George in New York for the annual Jazz Weekend.

Gershon said Lebron was happy to be home and appreciative of all the support, but now ‚Äúhe’s trying to get his life back together.‚Äù