Community Rally for Ming Li Hui: A Story of Support and Freedom in Kennett, Missouri
Ming Li Hui, a waitress from Hong Kong, was detained by immigration authorities in rural Missouri, sparking a rally for her freedom. Known as Carol in Kennett, Missouri, she was released after more than a month in jail under a federal immigration program that offers temporary safe haven to immigrants from certain countries. While her future in the United States is not guaranteed, her release brought immediate relief to her and her community.
Ms. Hui, who had been living in the U.S. for 20 years, faced deportation after overstaying her visa. Despite being ordered to leave over a decade ago, she had been granted temporary permissions until her arrest in April. The news of her release spread quickly in Kennett, where residents and her colleagues at John's Waffle and Pancake House had been advocating for her freedom.
The community in Kennett rallied behind Ms. Hui, organizing fundraisers and petitions to support her cause. Even musician Sheryl Crow, a Kennett native, showed her support for Ms. Hui. The public outcry over her arrest was unexpected in a town where a majority of voters had supported President Trump's immigration policies.
Ms. Hui's lawyer had been working on reopening her immigration case when a federal immigration official recommended her release under the deferred enforced departure program. Her community's support played a crucial role in securing her freedom. She is required to check in with authorities in June, and her future in the U.S. remains uncertain.
The release of Ming Li Hui, known as Carol in Kennett, Missouri, brought relief to her and her community after a month-long detention by immigration authorities. Despite the uncertainty of her future in the United States, the support from her neighbors and colleagues played a significant role in her release.