Help Our Family - Father Taken by ICE

Help Our Family Fight for Our Dad – Taken by ICE on 6/6/2025

We’re heartbroken to share that our father, Pao Vang, was detained by ICE on Friday, June 6th, right in front of our home. That afternoon, he was outside working on a project with our youngest brother, who is only 11 years old, when three unmarked vehicles arrived. Men wearing ATF badges, working with ICE, entered our yard and detained our dad without warning or explanation. He had committed no crime. They left with him, and we were given no further information, only video evidence from our neighbor who were outside when this happened.

Our dad’s story is rooted in resilience and service. He is Laotian, raised Hmong. His father—a relative of General Vang Pao—fought alongside the CIA during the Secret War in Laos during the Vietnam War from 1961 to 1975. Our family came to the U.S. legally, seeking safety after the war. Tragically, his father was left behind and was never given the opportunity to seek refuge in America, despite his sacrifices. In 2004, he was killed after it was discovered that he had fought with U.S. forces. Our dad has no ties to Laos, his life would be in serious danger if he were forced to return.

He is 54 years old. When our dad was young, he made mistakes and served his time. During that period, he earned multiple vocational certifications and committed himself to turning his life around. Unfortunately, his record from that time has prevented him from gaining U.S. citizenship. But for over 30 years, he has lived and worked here legally—paying taxes, supporting his family, and contributing to his community. He has had no legal issues since serving his time.

Our dad is the heart of our family. A father of eight, he’s the one we all look up to for strength, love, and stability. He loves fixing cars, improving our home, and helping neighbors whenever he can. He always makes time for family and community events. He’s a true people person—warm, welcoming, and endlessly generous.

Now, we’re living through an unimaginable nightmare: the emotional pain of being separated from our dad, and the financial burden of fighting for his freedom. His sudden detention has left a huge hole in our lives and in our home. All of this happening right before his birthday and Father's Day.

We are raising funds to help cover:

If you know our dad, you already know how deeply he cares for others. And if you don’t, we hope this message gives you a glimpse of the incredible person he is. Any contribution—no matter the amount—will help us fight for his return and support our family during this difficult time.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your support, your shares, and your prayers.

For media inquiries, donations outside of GoFundMe, or other support, please contact Tony Yang at tonyyang075 at gmail.com