South St. Paul father faces deportation to Laos
A 48-year-old South St. Paul father, Zong Yang, faces imminent deportation to Laos after U.S. immigration agents detained him at his home on Feb. 5, 2026, his family says.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents moved Yang to a Texas detention facility, and federal officials cite a decades-old 1990s felony burglary in Wisconsin as the basis for his removal. The reporting was published by FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul.
The episode traces back to that 1990s burglary conviction, but Yang has lived in the U.S. for years, built a life in South St. Paul and has never been to Laos or learned the Lao language. He was detained on Feb. 5 during the final days of Operation Metro Surge, the report says.
Yang has worked as an overnight freight operator and supports five children. His U.S.-born wife plans to remain in Minnesota with the children, leaving the household on a single income and scrambling to prepare for a long-term separation. Homeland Security officials did not immediately respond to FOX 9's request for comment.
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📌 Key Facts
- Subject: 48‑year‑old South St. Paul resident Zong Yang faces imminent deportation to Laos despite never having been there or speaking the language.
- He was detained by ICE on Feb. 5, 2026 at his home during the final days of Operation Metro Surge and moved to a Texas detention facility.
- Yang’s removal is based on a decades‑old 1990s felony burglary committed in Wisconsin; he has since been working as an overnight freight operator and supporting a family of five children.
- His U.S.‑born wife plans to remain in Minnesota with the children, leaving the family on a single income and scrambling to prepare for long‑term separation.
- Homeland Security officials did not immediately respond to FOX 9’s request for comment on his case.
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