Minnesota Congresswoman Betty McCollum slammed President Donald Trump earlier this month after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained Blong Yang, a Laotian refugee. Yang, who arrived in Minnesota at age two, was detained by ICE last month while heading to work in Lakeland, Minn.
In a social media post, McCollum, a Democrat, claimed Trump’s immigration policies are “targeting Hmong and Lao Minnesotans,” and Yang’s arrest “is another shocking impact being felt in our community from the return of Trump’s illegal and unconstitutional policies that are targeting individuals and groups without due process.”
However, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has informed Alpha News that Yang was previously issued a “final order of removal” on April 19, 2023.
“Blong Yang is violent convicted criminal. In 1996, he was convicted of theft and served probation after the second offense. In 1996, Yang was convicted of carrying a concealed weapon and again sentenced to probation. In 1997, Yang committed 4th degree sexual assault and [was] sentenced to 30 days’ incarceration and 18 months’ probation,” DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement to Alpha News.
McCollum’s post mentioned neither the 2023 removal order, nor Yang’s criminal convictions. Instead, the congresswoman pledged to “continue to fight back against Trump’s illegal acts just as I did during the first his last [sic] administration.”
A recent Newsweek story described Yang’s family as “devastated” by the detainment. His daughter, Kylee Yang, said, “This situation has been extremely heartbreaking and difficult.” The Newsweek story also says, “the circumstances surrounding Blong’s detainment are tied to past mistakes he made when he was younger, according to his daughter.”
“His daughter insists that the man he is today should not be defined by his past, but by the positive contributions he has made to his family and his community,” the Newsweek story says.
Yang’s family is reportedly working with a nonprofit known as “MN8” to assist in the legal battle regarding his detention.
McLaughlin told Alpha News that “President Trump and [DHS] Secretary [Kristi] Noem will not allow violent criminal illegal aliens to remain in the U.S.”
Symone Harms
Symone Harms is a Media Production and Business Marketing student at Bethel University. She is actively involved in The Royals Investment Fund, The 25, theatre, and other leadership positions. She also cohosts Rooted, a podcast dedicated to being rooted in truth, growing in freedom, and prospering in life. A Minnesota native with a passion for storytelling and digital media, she aspires to a career in broadcasting as a news anchor and reporter.
