Michigan House Reps Show Support at Local Rally for Hmong Refugees
Rally in Lansing, Michigan for 15 Hmong Refugees Wrongfully Detained by ICE Gain Elected Support
〰️
Rally in Lansing, Michigan for 15 Hmong Refugees Wrongfully Detained by ICE Gain Elected Support 〰️
08/09/25 Lansing, Michigan - A Rally for the Hmong Refugees that were wrongfully detained by ICE on July 15 & July 30, had two elected Michigan House Reps speak out about the current tragedy and crisis the United States is facing. An estimated 150-200 residents gathers on the Michigan State Capital Lawn to show their support for the Hmong Refugees and hear the families, local support groups, and District 13 House Rep Mai Xiong joined by District 77 Emily Dievendorf speak out about, what is essentially kidnapping refugees, and possibly sending them to Laos, a country they’ve never been to.
Families of detained Hmong Refugees taking the stairs of the Capital in Lansing , Michigan
LANDMARK PROGRESS IN THE PROTEST WORLD
Although the crowd size wasn’t groundbreaking, the fact that we had multiple elected house reps not only join, but also speak and help organize the event, makes this particular rally/protest a landmark event. Michigan House Rep, District 13, Mai Xiong used her voice, multiple platforms, and reach to inform the public at large about the 15 Hmong refugees, long time residents of the United States, the majority of which have lived nearly their entire lives here, about their disappearance. The families of the detained have no idea where their fathers, mothers, uncles, aunts, daughters, and sons currently are. Xiong was informed about the detained refugees, and as a Hmong refugee herself, took immediate action. A community leader from Saint Johns, Lue Yang, a 47-year-old, is the only detained individual with known whereabouts, presumably at the Baldwin GEO facility, the largest ICE detainment prison in the state of Michigan, had additional support from his local House Rep, District 77 Emily Dievendorf.
What makes this particular rally and protest so much more impactful is that we had real elected officials joining us, climbing the capital stairs, speaking out, and asking the crowd to hold all of their elected officials accountable. There may have been elected officials at previous protests, taking a moment to speak and ask for “forgiveness and understanding” (most notable being Julie Brixie, the 73rd House District, back in April getting booed by the crowd) but this time it was different. Rep Xiong was a “host” for the event on Facebook, gave opening remarks, and stood next to ever single individual who spoke during the event next to them at the podium. Showing formidable power through presence, grace, and words. Comforting the speakers as they spoke out about their family member missing or how they came to be here in America. An elected rep, has never, not once to my knowledge or eyes, remained at the podium and supported every single person who spoke out against these crimes.
Michigan House Elected Reps Joining Hmong Refugee Rally in Lansing, Michigan
WHAT ARE THE ELECTED OFFICIALS DOING TO GET THE HMONG REFUGEES BACK?
Xiong has been working hard, not just on her social media platforms informing people about this happening, and taking a special interest in this nightmare, as she is a Hmong Refugee herself, born in a refugee camp in Thailand and then immigrating to the U.S. when she was three-years-old. On August 07, 2025 she held a special news conference on the Capital Lawn; Michigan Advanced reported that Xiong “and others are doing what they can and working with attorneys to free those individuals from detention centers before they can be deported. Xiong was joined in that fight by fellow Democrats, including state Sen. Stephanie Chang of Detroit, state Sen. Sam Singh of East Lansing and state Rep. Emily Dievendorf of Lansing.”
Krumnow, author of this article and Now News Rep, spoke with both Mai Xiong and Emily Dievendorf after the rally, and learned that multiple other House Democrats are supportive of this mission. Xiong told Krumnow in the interview that 27 other legislatures who signed a letter to the ICE director, demanding that these Hmong refugees be released. Uncut full interviews will be available on YouTube and embedded in this article shortly. Xiong is potent, telling that elected officials need to show up every single day for their community. She encourages others to use their platforms, their voices, and their votes, as it is all we have.
“Even as a state representative, if I cannot change federal laws, immigration policies, I know that I can use my voice, I can change people’s perception, and hopefully change policy at the federal level, by advocating for us, at a grassroots level. I want my constituents to know that I am accessible, as we all should be. We work for the people.”
A stark difference to my personal elected rep, Tom Barrett, District 7, who has been skirting his constituents since at least March of 2025.
Dievendorf spoke passionately about holding elected reps accountable and showing up for their constituents as well, both during her time at the mic and 1:1 during Now News’ Interview. Recognizing that there is no excuse for her to be staying home right now. “The world is on fire…” representation now matters more than anything. When prompted with the question of Do you have a message for any elected officials out there since you are one?
“Be open to accountability, show up, do your job! But also, you are fallible, you have a lot to learn and different ways to grow. We can always do more, we can always do better, and right now that is really the bare minimum. ”
Crowd Shots of Rally and Protest Attendees for Hmong Rally - Lansing, Michigan
How YOU Can Support the Hmong Refugees Detained by ICE
Sharing the message, gaining more and more eyes are always important tactics, from social media to the independent journalists writing up full articles, reaching out to your local reps, these things all matter. But in this case, we have an additional call to action that you can take part it right now.
Call the ICE Detention Field Office and urge them to deport Lue Yang, Sufeng Yang, Sai Vang, Pang Nhia Hang, Wa Kong Lor, and other detained Hmong Refugees at 313-771-6601.
As rep Xiong and Divendorf stated on August 08, 2025, and what I’ve been saying for the last 6 months, now is the time to use your voice. Step up, and support the humanitarian efforts to keep America safe for all. And if you don’t know why this particular set of detainments is heartbreaking, then here is the…
History of the Hmong Refugees Coming to America
If you’re anything like me, you may not have known about the Hmong history in the USA before this news story broke. I was requested to share news about the rally, show up, and report on it. But I will admit I did not know the following.
The Hmong people aided US armed forces during the Vietnam war. When US forces were not allowed on certain land, they partnered with the Hmong people. Michigan advance journalist, Ben Solis, stated “Hmong served as key recruits by the CIA during the Vietnam War fighting the Johnson and Nixon administrations’ secret war in Laos and supporting anti-communist forces.”
Many of these refugees are considered stateless as they were born in refugee camps and then promised by the united states government, sanctuary. The individuals who have been wrongfully detained by Trumps lackeys….who are running out of “the worst of the worst” immigrants to meet their ridiculous deportation quota, are the sons and daughters of veterans who aided America during the Vietnam war. Many of them never knowing a real life outside of the US, because our government, when we were in a time of “need” told them, we would take care of you, if you join our fight. Many veterans and veteran associated groups attended this rally, spoke out, and are incredibly angry at how the current administration is treating the lives of fellow veterans and their families.
Watch the original social media live broadcast uploads, Mai Xiong’s impactful 20 minute speech, a family member for a detained refugee, and crowd shots
Archived video footage and speeches from the Hmong Rally for Refugees in Lansing, Michigan. 08/08/25
Follow Krumnow for more updates, interviews, photos and videos IRT
As always you can see all of Krumnow’s photos, footage, and more, on her public IG and Facebook.
My Youtube Channel will eventually have full interviews and archived footage up after it has been formatted.
ABOUT NOW NEWS & JACKI KRUMNOW: As of March 04, 2025, local Lansing influencer and concerned citizen, Jacki Krumnow, stepped up to begin covering local news that was not getting deserved media coverage. Krumnow is utilizing her voice & platforms while she still can to distribute local and nationally relevant news that is collected via guerrilla journalism tactics, and distributing the content known as NOW NEWS.
She will try to remain timely and write articles when she can, but you can trust her STORIES and IG Profile to keep you up to date on everything NOW NEWS from protests and political satire, to the occasional marketing trends and updates, and local happenings in Lansing, and yes, more than just humanitarian events. Krumnow spearheads herself now as guerrilla journalist, gathering details, research, and knowledge of news by they people and for the people. She endorses nothing. She encourages readers to be well informed and continue their own research on topics, events, organizations that they find of interest.
You are welcome to follow her for more local & national Now News, but she retains the rights to not accept follow for follow or friend requests, and block individuals who may threaten her safety online or in person. Reporting the news can be a dangerous game.
Be forewarned though, Krumnow can be a bit of a mischief maker online and in person. She is not everyone’s cup of tea.
