My name is Kalia Her, and I am creating this GoFundMe on behalf of my mom, Naly Hang, and my stepdad, Blong Xiong.

On the morning of Friday, January 16, my mom was driving my stepdad to a doctor’s appointment in Eagan when they were suddenly pulled over by ICE. Their car was boxed in by around 12 ICE vehicles, and agents took my stepdad into custody. Although my parents were cooperating, agents threatened to break the car window. The experience was terrifying and deeply traumatizing for my mom.

My stepdad was wrongfully convicted in his early 20s, for a crime he did not commit and served 10 years in prison. His conviction was later vacated. After his release, he was taken into immigration detention in 2013, where he was told he could be released sooner if he signed paperwork giving up his green card. At the time, Laos was not accepting refugee deportees, and he never imagined this would lead to deportation years later. Like many others, he signed the paperwork to return home to his family.

We are now working with an attorney to stop his deportation and reopen his case, which may lead to cancellation of his deportation order. He is a loving father and a devoted member of our family.

My mom and stepdad have three children, two of whom are Level 2–3 autistic and require daily care and support. With my stepdad detained, my mom has suddenly lost his income and is struggling to work while caring for my siblings. This comes after a difficult year in which my brother was hospitalized and our family is still recovering emotionally and financially.

My stepdad came to the U.S. when he was only 8 years old, does not speak Lao and is unfamiliar with the culture there. This is a frightening and overwhelming time for our family.

Donations will help cover:

Legal and attorney fees

Rent and household expenses

Daily necessities and care for my siblings

Thank you for any support or for sharing our family’s story.