The Trump administration conducted deportations targeting Southeast Asian immigrants last week, breaking their families apart as they are sent to Laos and Vietnam.
How it happened: One military aircraft that carried detainees from Detroit reportedly departed on Aug. 11, with stops at Guantanamo Bay and Hawaii before continuing to Southeast Asia. Thirty-two people were sent to Laos, while others went to Vietnam.
Another report described over 100 deportees sent from Hawaii to Laos and Vietnam, though it is not immediately clear whether it is a separate operation. The individuals had removal orders dating back to 2001, but previous deportation attempts failed because Laos would not accept them.
ICE described the deportees as including a gang member who obstructed a murder investigation, sexual offenders to minors, drug traffickers and others with criminal histories.
Notable cases: The deportations have separated families across multiple states. Anissa Lee, 20, told the Detroit Free Press that her father Sufeng Yang’s removal to Laos would affect “nearly 300 people,” including his 82-year-old grandmother who depends on him for groceries and medication.
Thong Lao was separated from his wife and five children, including a son with autism, despite living in the U.S. since childhood after his family fled the CIA-backed “Secret War” in Laos. His wife Xeng Vang now works night shifts to manage childcare and cannot afford to visit him.
Meanwhile, Somchith “Sammy” Vatthanavong, who immigrated from Laos at age 7, avoided deportation after receiving a pardon from New York Gov. Kathy Hochul.
The big picture: The operations highlight broader enforcement targeting Asian American communities nationwide. They follow Memorial Day weekend removals, which sent more than 65 people to Laos and over 93 to Vietnam, leading advocacy groups to establish support services for arriving deportees.
Many of the Hmong deportees came from families that fled persecution after helping U.S. forces during the Vietnam War era. “This latest round of deportations is part of a broader and brutal attack on the Southeast Asian community,” said Socheatta Meng, executive director of the community group Mekong NYC.
This story is part of The Rebel Yellow Newsletter — a bold weekly newsletter from the creators of NextShark, reclaiming our stories and celebrating Asian American voices.
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