A Vietnamese refugee living in Oklahoma for decades is facing possible deportation after ICE detained him during a routine immigration check-in over a nearly 20-year-old marijuana possession arrest that was later expunged.
A Vietnamese refugee who built his life in Oklahoma is now facing deportation after what his family says was supposed to be a routine immigration check-in.
Hai Nguyen, who lives in Moore, was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement during a recent work permit appointment. He remains detained at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Cimarron Detention Facility in Cushing.
Nguyen is not a U.S. citizen, but his family says he has lived in the United States since he was a child. He works full-time, pays taxes and is married with two young children in Oklahoma.
Now, a nearly 20-year-old marijuana possession arrest, a charge his family says was later expunged after he completed community service, could lead to his removal from the country.
“He’s the pillar of support in my life,” said Theresa Le, Nguyen’s niece “He’s just one of the most forgiving and kindest people that I know. He knows no strangers, you know, if you saw him on the street and you said, ‘hey, I need the shirt off of your back,’ he would give it to you.”
Le said her uncle received a green card after immigrating to the United States as a child. But after the arrest while he was in college, said he was ineligible to become a U.S. citizen. Although the charge was expunged, an old removal order tied to that arrest remained on the books.
“It almost makes it seem like even if you make a mistake and you do all the things right, to correct that mistake and move on from it, that you don’t ever really recover,” Le said.
Le said Nguyen maintained a valid work permit and consistently attended annual immigration check-ins. This year, however, he was detained.
“I think it’s really difficult to put into words all of the emotions that I feel,” Le said. “It makes me sad. That’s the best word that I can say.”
She said Nguyen went on to graduate from college, get married and build a stable life. He has worked at Hobby Lobby for 15 years, and the company has placed him on a leave of absence through April. If he is released, the family says, he will be able to return to work.
“You have someone who brings this light and this energy and always reminds you that it’s not a bad life, it’s just a bad day. And then he’s not there,” said Le. “I think we are all holding out hope, that this will get resolved and we’ll be able to bring him home. I mean, that’s really all that you can do at this point.”
According to Le, Nguyen could remain in custody for up to 180 days while officials wait to see whether Vietnam issues travel documents. If the documents are granted, he could be deported. If not, the family plans to petition for his release.
