A mom, raised in the U.S. since infancy, was unexpectedly deported to Laos, a country she has never visited and cannot communicate in.
A mother from Milwaukee experienced a shocking situation when authorities deported her to Laos, a country she has never known.
Ma Yang, who is 37 years old, has lived in the United States since she was a baby. Her story emphasizes the struggles many face in the immigration system.
The mom has lived in the US since she was a baby
Ma Yang was born in a Thai refugee camp to Hmong parents after the Vietnam War. When she was just eight months old, her family moved to the United States.
For nearly her entire life, she has called Milwaukee home, where she built a family and community. She has five children who depend on her for support and care.
US mom deported to unfamiliar country and unable to speak the language despite living in America since childhood
On March 6, Yang was suddenly deported. She traveled from Chicago to Atlanta and then to South Korea before finally arriving in Laos.
Her deportation followed a past conviction related to marijuana, for which she served 30 months in prison.
This unexpected turn of events shocked both Yang and her supporters.
Upon arriving in Vientiane, the capital of Laos, Yang faced immediate challenges. She was detained by military authorities and placed in a rooming house.
For five days, she was not allowed to leave or make contact with anyone. This isolation left her feeling lost and scared.
“The United States sent me back to die,” Yang said. “I don’t even know where to go. I don’t even know what to do.”
When she finally managed to get some cash and a phone, she reached out to her partner, Michael Bub, who remained in the U.S. However, her troubles did not end there.
The Laotian military is holding her documents, making it difficult for her to find housing or work.
Yang expressed her frustration, asking, “How do I rent, or buy, or anything with no papers?”
A family is left behind in emotional turmoil.
Back in Milwaukee, Yang’s partner, Michael, is dealing with the family’s crisis alone. He has undergone two brain surgeries and is partially paralyzed.
Their oldest daughter, Azia, is stepping up to care for her younger siblings, who are struggling without their mother.
Michael described his feelings after Yang’s deportation, saying, “I think I screamed in the car for like half an hour.”
Yang herself has expressed deep concern for her children. “I would love to come back. I have five children. I’m praying every day to come back,” she said.
Her family is now facing an uncertain future without her.
Misleading legal advice led to unexpected immigration consequences.
Yang claims that attorneys misled her about her immigration status after her conviction, complicating her situation.
When she took a plea deal for her marijuana charges, she believed it would not affect her green card status.
However, her legal permanent residency was revoked due to the conviction.
After serving her sentence, she was transferred to an ICE detention center. There, she signed a deportation order, thinking her attorney would help reopen her case later.
Unfortunately, that did not happen, leaving her in a precarious situation.
Social media reactions
One user said: She should’ve became American. She had plenty of time if she was open enough to be a mother and been here since she was a baby.
The only reason she didn’t was because as a dreamer, she was getting money and free education.
The second user wrote: Sad for her. She looks old enough to have tried to become a legal citizen.
So really that is on her and her parents. Certainly not anyone else’s problem.
The third user commented: Seems to me she should have figured this out and taken the steps to become a citizen.
Now her ignorance has consequences that affect her children.
Another user said: The same thing happened to my brother 15 years ago he was 50 years old, got deported to Germany, NOTHING NEW , DEAL WITH IT
Someone said: What happen right now is horrible and all trump supporter are just heartless