Congressman Advocates for Detained Sushi Restaurant Owner

News Summary

Congressman Greg Stanton is pushing for the release of Kelly Yu, a sushi restaurant owner facing deportation after being detained by ICE since May. Yu, an integral part of her Arizona community for over 20 years while having originally entered the U.S. illegally, has garnered significant support from local citizens, family, and officials like Senator Ruben Gallego, who are calling for immigration reform. The case highlights broader issues regarding immigration policies and enforcement, sparking ongoing discussions on the treatment of long-time residents.

Arizona – Congressman Greg Stanton is advocating for the release of Kelly Yu, a sushi restaurant owner who has been detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) since late May. Kelly Yu, who has operated Kawaii Sushi in Peoria for over two decades, has lived in the United States for 21 years and is facing deportation proceedings that have sparked community support and discussions about immigration reform.

Stanton made attempts to visit Yu at the Eloy ICE detention facility to show his support but was denied access by ICE officials. He has criticized the current immigration policies, calling the deportation enforcement misguided and highlighting the frustrations of many concerning federal immigration laws. According to Stanton, there is widespread anger over how immigration legislation is being enforced under the current administration.

Yu originally entered the U.S. illegally in 2004 while fleeing China’s one-child policy. Since a denial of her asylum case in 2005, she has been under a removal order that has resulted in a series of unsuccessful appeals, including one to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Despite these challenges, Yu has built a life in Arizona, contributing positively to the local community without any criminal background, through acts such as donating to high school sports teams and shelters.

Congressman Stanton has taken additional steps to address what he sees as a violation of federal law concerning his denied access to Yu. He has penned letters to high-ranking officials, including the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Director of ICE, to support her situation. Meanwhile, Yu’s husband, Aldo, a U.S. citizen, has expressed the emotional strain of her detention on their family, underlining the distressing impact the situation has had on their lives.

Community members, along with Yu’s family and customers, have rallied to support her, emphasizing her integral role within the community. Notably, ICE has indicated that Yu’s deportation could occur at any time as they work to obtain travel documents for her return to China. This mirrors a previous incident where she was briefly detained by ICE in December 2024.

The support for Yu has extended beyond her immediate community, with U.S. Senator Ruben Gallego also stepping in to voice his support. Gallego criticized the government’s focus on deporting non-criminal undocumented immigrants rather than taking action against those who commit violent crimes. He advocates for creating pathways to legal status for individuals like Yu, highlighting their contributions to society as a reason for reconsidering their immigration status.

As Kelly Yu remains incarcerated, her family is left to cope with her absence. Plans for Aldo to visit her at the detention center are underway, yet the emotional burden continues for the family. Yu’s situation has ignited conversations surrounding the need for comprehensive immigration reform, bringing attention to the contradictions present in current immigration policies and their enforcement.

In summary, the case of Kelly Yu has not only spotlighted the individual struggle faced by a long-time resident but has also raised broader questions about immigration practices in the United States. With advocates like Congressman Stanton and Senator Gallego urging a reassessment of policies concerning undocumented individuals, Yu’s case may contribute to ongoing discussions about necessary changes in the law.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

• KTAR: Peoria Business Owner Detained
• 12 News: Congressman Denied Entry
• AZ Central: Immigration Deportation Opinion
• Fox 10 Phoenix: Investigation Underway in Peoria
• Wikipedia: Immigration in the United States