Thi Dua Vang came to the United States as a refugee from Vietnam, seeking safety, stability, and the hope of a better life. She followed every legal requirement, arrived with all proper documentation, and was lawfully admitted into the country. She did everything right.

Despite this, on January 8, 2026, Thi Dua was suddenly and unjustly detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (I.C.E.). Without warning, her life was thrown into chaos. After spending 24 hours in a temporary facility in the Twin Cities, she was transported far from her family—first to the El Paso Detention Center in Texas, and then to the Houston Processing Center. She remained detained for nearly two weeks, separated from her loved ones, frightened, and unsure of her future.

During her bond hearing on January 20, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security representative was unable to give any reason for her detention. The judge ordered that she be released on bond. However, she was not actually released until the next day, January 21, 2026.

Even then, her ordeal continued. I.C.E. did not notify her family or coordinate her safe release. Instead, she was let out alone onto the streets of Houston around 8:00 PM—exhausted, scared, and with no support. Her husband and brother, who had already begun the long drive from Minnesota, arrived around 11:00 PM. For three long hours, Thi Dua had to fend for herself in a completely unfamiliar city at night.

This wrongful detention has deeply traumatized Thi Dua and her family. They had to hire legal counsel to fight for her freedom, placing a heavy financial burden on them. On top of the emotional toll, Thi Dua lost her job because of her detention. The family is now trying to rebuild from the ground up—emotionally, financially, and physically—but the road ahead is difficult.

They are doing their best to regain stability, but the damage has been profound. Any financial support you can provide will not only help this family rebuild their lives, but will also support any future legal representation that Thi Dua may need as she continues navigating her immigration case and works to secure lasting stability in the United States. Your generosity will ease the heavy burden they are carrying and remind them that they are not alone in this struggle.