Cambodian Genocide Survivor Detained by ICE After 40 Years in the US

Sithy Yi, a Cambodian genocide survivor who arrived in the United States as a refugee in 1981, has been detained by ICE during a routine immigration check-in in Santa Ana, California. Despite arriving with her family as refugees and having an uncle sponsor them with just $10, Yi's path to legal residency was complicated by a medical condition that hindered her education. Yi previously held a green card until 2011, when she was arrested for a drug possession conviction. After completing her sentence, her permanent residency was revoked. Her lawyer, Kim Luu-Ng, argues that Yi was detained unlawfully and has been a peaceful community member. Notably, Yi did not have a Khmer interpreter during her drug trial, which her lawyer claims was a denial of due process. Yi's sister, Sithea San, emphasized that Sithy had consistently complied with all immigration requirements and attended monthly ICE check-ins. The lawyer pointed out that ICE had multiple opportunities over 20 years to detain or deport Yi but had previously determined she was not a threat to the community.