Hi, my name is Xao Lee, and this is one of the hardest things I have ever had to share.

On Friday, January 16, my husband, Chew Thao, went to what was supposed to be his routine annual immigration check-in. Instead of coming home, he was detained by ICE. That same day, he was transferred out of state to Texas, and within days he may be deported to Laos, a country he has never been to and was not even born in.

In a matter of hours, our lives were turned completely upside down.

Our children, grandchildren, and extended family are now living in fear, confusion, and heartbreak. We are facing the painful unknown of how long Chew will be gone or if we will ever be reunited as a family in the United States. His absence has left a devastating emotional void and has removed the primary financial and spiritual support of our household.

During this unimaginable time, we are leaning heavily on our faith, our community, and the kindness of others. I believe deeply in the power of prayer, compassion, and support, especially in moments when families are torn apart through no choice of their own.

Who Is Chew Thao?

A Man of Faith

Chew is a devoted follower of Christ and a faithful servant of God. Even while separated from his family and held in detention, he continues to lean on his faith and trust God’s plan. Despite harsh and uncertain circumstances, Chew remains hopeful and prayerful. He has always led our family by example, teaching the importance of faith, humility, forgiveness, and living a life guided by God’s word.

A Man of Redemption and Service

Chew was born in Thailand and came to the United States as a refugee when he was one year old. In his early life, he was marked by hardship and poor choices which led him to 19 years of incarceration. After many seasons and countless turbulence, it was then there, he encountered Christ - an experience that reshaped his direction. Through faith and perseverance, he now lives as a testament of redemption. 

Since his release in 2018, Chew has dedicated himself to serving others, especially those walking the same path he once did. He has mentored and coached formerly incarcerated individuals, helping them rebuild their lives, break cycles of incarceration, and become productive, faith-driven members of society. His life stands as a powerful testimony to redemption, accountability, and the possibility of second chances.

A Devoted Family Man

Chew is a loving husband, a devoted father to nine children, and a proud grandfather to nine grandchildren. He is a steady, nurturing presence in our home. He has poured his heart into raising our children, loving them as his own, and building a stable, faith-filled family.

A Community Leader

If you have ever met Chew, you know his heart. He is wise, charismatic, compassionate, and deeply God-fearing. He never hesitates to help someone in need and has dedicated his life to teaching, mentoring, and uplifting others. His generosity, discipline, and encouragement have impacted countless lives in our community.

Transcript From Part of Chew’s Testimony

Everything that God has taken me through and everything He has done in my heart, through the decisions I have made, has shaped who I am today.

I am not proud of my past, but I am not ashamed of it either. It is God’s story. It is who I am. Through the choices I made, I learned. I changed. I became someone different. Every single day, every week, every experience I go through is for a purpose.

Since being released, I own my own business and share a home with my wife. God has taken every bad situation I went through and used it to help others who are struggling in the same ways I once did.

I run a prison ministry. I help people who are battling addiction, struggling with life, facing broken relationships, and preparing to come home from prison. I continue doing this work even while facing things I do not have answers to, including deportation.

I am grateful for the life I am living now. I have no regrets, because the decisions I made shaped who I am today, even though many of those choices changed the course of my life.

This is God’s life. Living it with Him and allowing Him to guide me through the process of making right choices after wrong ones has made me a better person. I am blessed not because of what I have, but because I have God’s favor.

Chew worked full time at Cardinal Glass in Hudson, Wisconsin for the past three years.

Chew taught a class at Ramsey County Correctional Facility three times a week.

Chew has always expressed that his purpose in life is to love others the way that Jesus loves us.

Why We’re Asking for Help

Without Chew at home, our family is carrying an overwhelming burden.

This GoFundMe is meant to help us survive this crisis financially, emotionally, and logistically. Funds raised will help cover basic living expenses while our household income is drastically reduced, legal and immigration related costs in the hope, God willing, that Chew can return home, emergency expenses due to the sudden loss of employment and benefits, and if deportation happens, support for Chew’s resettlement in Laos where he has no home, no resources, and no support system.

Impact on Our Family

Wife and Children

Chew and I met in 2024, both broken and searching for healing. God brought us together and formed us into a family. Since then, Chew has lovingly and patiently raised my six children as his own, providing stability, guidance, and unwavering love.

Risk of Losing Our Home

Chew’s detention has severely impacted our finances. His job was our main source of income and provided health insurance for our family. With his sudden absence, we are struggling to meet basic needs and are at risk of losing our home.

Legal Uncertainty

There is a very real possibility that Chew will be deported. Communication has been extremely limited, and we are left waiting day by day without clear updates. This painful uncertainty has been devastating to our entire family.

Possible Resettlement in Laos

If deportation occurs, Chew will be sent to a country he has never known, without family, housing, or financial support. This fund would help him survive and rebuild from nothing.

Why This Matters

Chew has spent his life giving back to his family, his church, his students, his clients, and his community. Now he needs that same compassion returned.

Any donation, no matter the amount, will make an immediate and meaningful difference as we navigate the financial and emotional challenges ahead. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your prayers, generosity, and love during this incredibly painful time.

With gratitude and faith,

Xao, Chew, and Family