Instant Insight

30-Second Take

• Ma Yang, a Milwaukee mother of five, has been deported to Laos, a country she has never visited.
• Yang was born in a refugee camp in Thailand and moved to the U.S. with her Hmong parents before she was one year old.
• Her deportation was triggered by a past drug conviction, despite her having served her prison sentence and resumed life in the U.S.

Quick Brief

2-Minute Digest

Essential Context

Ma Yang, a mother of five from Milwaukee, has been deported to Laos after living in the U.S. since infancy. Born in a refugee camp in Thailand, Yang moved to the U.S. with her Hmong parents before she turned one. Her deportation has left her family in turmoil and raised significant concerns within the Hmong American community.

Core Players

• Ma Yang – Milwaukee mother of five, deported to Laos
• Azia – Yang’s 22-year-old daughter, now caring for her younger siblings
• Michael Bub – Yang’s long-term partner, struggling to care for the children due to his disability
• U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) – Responsible for Yang’s deportation

Key Numbers

• 5 – Number of children Ma Yang has
• 30 months – Length of Yang’s prison sentence for a federal drug case
• 2020 – Year Yang pleaded guilty to the drug charges
• February 2025 – Month Yang was detained and deported
• Nearly 5,000 – Number of Laotian nationals with removal orders still in the U.S. as of November 2024

Full Depth

Complete Coverage

The Catalyst

Ma Yang’s deportation was triggered by a past drug conviction. In 2020, she pleaded guilty to participating in a federal marijuana trafficking case and served a 30-month prison sentence. Despite her attorney not warning her about the potential loss of her permanent residency, Yang resumed her life in Milwaukee after her release, working as a nail technician and attending routine ICE check-ins.

However, during a February 2025 appointment, ICE officials detained her, leading to her deportation to Laos.

Inside Forces

Yang’s family is now facing significant challenges. Her 22-year-old daughter, Azia, is taking care of her younger siblings, while her long-term partner, Michael Bub, struggles to care for the children due to his disability. The family is working with legal advocates to try and bring Yang back to the U.S.

“She has always been our rock. Now, I have to help where I can,” Azia said, highlighting the emotional and practical impact of Yang’s deportation.

Power Dynamics

The deportation has raised concerns within the Hmong American community, many of whom fought alongside U.S. forces during the Vietnam War. President Trump questioned the fairness of deporting Hmong people who have contributed to the U.S.

“How do you send us back when we fought for you?” Yang asked, reflecting the community’s sentiment.

Outside Impact

Laos has rarely accepted deportees from the U.S., with nearly 5,000 Laotian nationals with removal orders still in the U.S. as of November 2024. Yang’s case highlights the complexities and challenges faced by those caught in immigration limbo.

The broader implications include the emotional toll on families and the legal and social support systems that are often inadequate for those deported to countries they have never known.

Future Forces

Yang’s future remains uncertain. Without identification, support, or a clear legal path, her return to the U.S. is fraught with challenges. Her family and legal advocates continue to work towards her return, but the process is complex and uncertain.

Key areas for future action include legal reforms to protect permanent residents from unintended consequences of plea deals and improved support systems for those facing deportation.

Data Points

• Infancy – Age when Yang moved to the U.S. with her parents
• Thailand – Country where Yang was born in a refugee camp
• 8 days – Time Yang has been in Laos as of her last update
• Chicago and Indiana – Facilities Yang was transferred through before her deportation
• December 2022 – Month an immigration judge ordered Yang’s removal