Hmong Refugee Lue Yang Pardoned Amid ICE Detention Battle

LANSING, Mich. (WILX) – Lue Yang, a Hmong immigrant and father of six, was pardoned by Governor Gretchen Whitmer this week after being detained in ICE custody for three months. Yang was taken into custody in July upon arriving at work in Lansing.

Yang, who entered the U.S. in the 1970s as a child refugee, has been a dedicated community leader and has worked with the Hmong Family Association of Lansing. He has a criminal history stemming from a minor offense when he was 17, which was expunged in 2018. However, U.S. immigration authorities often do not recognize state expungements.

During a press conference, Whitmer expressed her support for Yang, calling him a devoted family man and respectable community leader. “Yesterday, I granted a pardon for Lue Yang,” she stated, emphasizing the importance of giving people a chance for forgiveness.

Yang’s wife, Ann Vue, has been advocating for his release, expressing concerns about his health during detention. “He left in good health, but his mind and body have deteriorated,” she said. Vue recounted the harsh conditions in which Yang was held, including sleeping on a concrete floor.

As of Thursday, Yang remained in an ICE facility located in Louisiana, with advocates worried about his potential deportation back to Laos. Immigration lawyer Nancy Xiong, representing Yang and other Hmong refugees, highlighted the urgency of the situation. “We are in a race against time,” she said.

State Representative Mai Xiong also voiced her concerns, stating that the pardon, while a positive step, does not guarantee Yang’s freedom. Xiong noted that Yang’s advocacy for Hmong veterans may put him at risk if he were deported.

Yang’s situation reflects broader concerns among the Hmong community and ongoing challenges facing immigrants with past convictions. Advocates continue to push for his release and await a response from ICE regarding his status.