Mother of five deported to Laos after serving prison time
- Ma Yang, a mother of five and a former legal permanent resident, was deported to Laos after serving time in prison for marijuana-related offenses.
- Upon her deportation, she found herself in an unfamiliar country without knowledge of the language or a support network.
- Yang's case has sparked discussions about the harsh realities of immigration policy and the implications for families.
In recent events, a Hmong American woman named Ma Yang, aged 37, was deported from the United States to Laos, a country she had never previously visited. Her deportation stemmed from marijuana-related charges for which she served over two years in federal prison. Yang, born in Thailand but raised in the U.S., was a legal permanent resident until her credentials were revoked due to her conviction. Her case highlights the harsh immigration policies enforced during the Trump administration, which aimed to increase deportations significantly. Following her prison sentence, Ma Yang was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. She was initially taken to an ICE facility in Minnesota and later transferred through several states before being flown to Laos. Yang expressed her distress about being sent to a country where she had no connections and where she does not speak the language. Upon arrival, she reported being held in a rooming house and faced problems with accessing essential medications like insulin and drugs for her high blood pressure, which exacerbated her vulnerable situation. The legal process surrounding Yang's deportation is marked by complications and misunderstandings. Her former attorney mistakenly informed her that her guilty plea would not affect her immigration status, which proved to be incorrect, resulting in her losing her green card. There were also indications that her attorney didn't fully communicate the severity and potential consequences of her situation during the plea process. This lack of clarity contributed to Yang's unexpected journey to Laos. By publicly sharing her story, Ma Yang aims to raise awareness about the impact of such deportations on families and individuals. Many, including her former lawyer, Matt Ricci, have expressed disbelief regarding her plight. The case has drawn attention to larger policy implications and the personal narratives often overshadowed in the discussion surrounding immigration enforcement. Ultimately, as deportations like Yang's continue to unfold, they illustrate the ongoing challenges and fears faced by immigrant families in the United States.