Milwaukee Woman Deported to Laos Speaks No Language, Knows No One

Ma Yang, a 37-year-old Hmong American mother of five, was deported from Milwaukee to Laos in February, a country she has never visited and where she has no connections. Yang, who was a legal permanent resident until her marijuana-related conviction, is currently confined in a rooming house under military guard, struggling with language barriers and lacking access to essential medications for her diabetes and high blood pressure. She described the situation as being sent back to 'die' and expressed uncertainty about her future, highlighting the emotional toll on her family, who are seeking to understand her deportation. Yang pleaded guilty under legal advice that she later regretted, believing it would not affect her residency status. The deportation comes amid a broader trend of stricter immigration policies that have disproportionately affected individuals like Yang. As she navigates her new reality without any documentation, her family remains hopeful for her return to the U.S.