The Metro: Congressman Tom Barrett works with White House to release Michigander in ICE custody
Michigan Republican Congressman Tom Barrett helped detained immigrant Lue Yang get released from custody. How did he do it, and why?
Michigan Congressman Tom Barrett
Aggressive immigration enforcement has intensified nationwide. As of early this month, more than 200,000 people had been arrested by ICE agents, including about 75,000 with no criminal record at all.
Lue Yang doesn’t technically fit into this context. But his case is close.
He was born in a Thai refugee camp after his family fled Laos. The Hmong refugee has lived in Michigan since he was 8 months old. While he is here legally, Yang previously had a 1997 criminal conviction, which was expunged in Michigan, but isn’t recognized by federal immigration law.
That resulted in ICE agents arresting Yang in July at his work. He was in prison until last week when he was released with the help of Michigan Republican Congressman Tom Barrett.
Why did Congressman Barrett help free Lue Yang? And, what was the process like for getting someone out of ICE detention?
Congressman Barrett joined The Metro to discuss that and more.
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