Hmong Refugee Released To Family

(Source: MIRS.news, Published 12/03/2025) Lue Yang – a Hmong refugee and St. Johns married father of six – who was detained and threatened with deportation by federal immigration officials for a 30-year-old expunged home invasion conviction on his record, was released to his family Wednesday afternoon.

Yang, who works for a Lansing-area manufacturer, was picked up by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on July 15 as part of President Donald Trump's accelerated effort to deport non-U.S. citizens with criminal records. After 141 days in detainment, a Gov. Gretchen Whitmer pardon, and work from public officials, attorneys and Yang's family – he reunited with his wife, Ann Vue, on Wednesday.

“It's a lot,” Vue told MIRS while she was driving to Grand Rapids after hearing of his release a few hours earlier. “I literally hustled to get the kids, and we're on our way now. We're super grateful to all of those involved. The phone has been ringing nonstop. It's been so overwhelming for him, me and everyone,” she said.

Vue said that when she talked to her husband last night, “he was breaking down mentally, pacing around like a fish in a bowl.”

"He cried a lot last night, so to hear the news today . . . God is good. We're excited to get him home,” she said.

Yang was on the brink of being flown to Southeast Asia six weeks ago, until Whitmer issued his pardon and federal officials, like U.S. Rep. Tom Barrett (R-Charlotte), went to bat for Yang to prevent the deportation.

Whitmer said Yang's family can “finally breathe a sigh of relief as they’re reunited today.”

"He is a devoted family man and respected leader in Michigan’s Hmong community. His family and his community never gave up hope as they rallied to support his release. I want to thank Michigan’s congressional delegation for working in a bipartisan manner to achieve this favorable outcome. Welcome home, Lue (Yang),” she said.

Barrett traveled to Grand Rapids to witness Yang's release.

“I’m so thankful that Lue (Yang) will be reunited with his family,” Barrett said. “As soon as we heard of his arrest, my staff aggressively sought more information. Lue (Yang) is not and never has been an illegal immigrant, and does not present a threat to our community, so I worked tirelessly to see him released from custody,” he said.

“I have consistently said that I believe we need to be firm, fair and humane in how we enforce immigration law, and I’m proud that I could effectively advocate to get Lue (Yang) released. I appreciate the willingness of the administration to listen to my concerns about his case and to reach this outcome,” Barrett said.

Present during the reunion was Rep. Mai Xiong (D-Warren), who has Hmong heritage as well. She first brought the matter to the public's attention this past summer.

“This battle for justice and due process for him and his family has been hard-fought, and I am so happy to see him reunited with his loving family, community and home state in time for the holiday season,” Xiong said, "While there are still many members of our community that have been detained by ICE recently, his release today brings hope to so many immigrant families who are still awaiting their loved ones' return home.”

Yang, son of Hmong refugees, came to the United States as a toddler. His father and grandfather, like many other Hmong, served alongside the United States forces against the communists in the Vietnam War.

After the war, his dad, like other Hmong, fled to Laos to avoid political persecution. He and his mother ended up in a refugee camp in Thailand, and Yang was born “stateless” or without a home.

In the 1970s, the Yangs were allowed to legally settle in the United States. The family ended up settling in Mid-Michigan.

In 1997, Yang (at age 18) sat in a vehicle while some acquaintances took part in a home invasion. He didn’t report the incident to the authorities and when the police cracked the case, they busted him with everyone else.

Yang pleaded guilty as part of a plea bargain and served 10 months in jail as punishment.

This conviction has prevented Yang from becoming a U.S. citizen, which he has attempted to do, according to Vue. He successfully got the conviction expunged in 2018, but in the eyes of the federal immigration officers, the conviction still stood.