Arizona Officials Urge Trump Administration to Prevent Removal of Business Owner and Mother

Strategic Insights -

Arizona Senator Mark Kelly and Representatives Greg Stanton, Ruben Gallego, and Yassamin Ansari have issued a joint letter to President Trump, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, urging them to prevent the removal of Kelly Yu, a long-time Arizona resident and business owner who has been in ICE detention for months despite having no criminal record. The officials argue that Yu's detention is a case of "cruelty" and that her removal would not be in the best interest of the United States. They highlight Yu's deep roots in the community, her compliance with immigration laws, and her contributions to the community, including donating meals to homeless shelters and supporting local law enforcement. The officials call on the administration to use discretion in Yu's case and release her back on supervision, arguing that her case is emblematic of the kind of longtime, non-criminal residents with deep family and community ties for whom discretion is intended.

Key Takeaways:

  • Kelly Yu, a business owner and mother of a U.S. citizen, has been in ICE detention for months despite having no criminal record.
  • The Arizona officials argue that Yu's detention is a case of "cruelty" and that her removal would not be in the best interest of the United States.
  • Yu has deep roots in the community, including owning a successful restaurant, Kawaii Sushi, and employing dozens of American workers.
  • Yu has a legal path to remain in the United States as the immediate family member of two Americans, and has demonstrated compliance with ICE supervision for over 20 years.
  • The officials call on the administration to use discretion in Yu's case and release her back on supervision, arguing that her case is emblematic of the kind of longtime, non-criminal residents with deep family and community ties for whom discretion is intended.
  • President Trump's goal of targeting dangerous criminals to keep Americans safe is something the Arizona officials agree on, but they argue that Yu's case is not an example of that.

Statistics:

  • Over 20 years, Kelly Yu has remained under ICE supervision.
  • Kelly Yu has no criminal history and has complied with the conditions of supervised release.
  • Kelly Yu employs dozens of American workers at her successful restaurant, Kawaii Sushi.
  • Kelly Yu's restaurant, Kawaii Sushi, has become a cornerstone of her community.
  • Kelly Yu entered the United States in 2004 as an 18-year-old, fleeing China's one-child policy and other repressions.

Sources:

  • Sen. Mark Kelly's press release: "Kelly, Stanton, Gallego, Ansari Urge Trump to Prevent Removal of Arizona Mother and Business Owner"
  • Letter to President Trump, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem from Senator Kelly, Representative Stanton, Senator Gallego, and Representative Ansari
  • Original text: https://www.kelly.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/kelly-stanton-gallego-ansari-urge-trump-to-prevent-removal-of-arizona-mother-and-business-owner/