Report: Kelly Yu, West Valley restaurant owner, released after ICE detainment in Eloy

PHOENIX — Kelly Yu, a West Valley sushi restaurant owner, was released from custody in an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainment facility in Eloy, according to a Fox 10 News report.

Ellen McNamara of Fox 10 News said Friday that Yu was let go and reunited with her family after being held by ICE since May 2025.

Yu’s attorneys reportedly filed a habeas corpus petition, which alleges the government is unlawfully detaining a person, and a judge agreed. This signaled her release.

However, McNamara added Yu “has to wear an ankle monitor, can’t travel more than 75 miles and will continue to check in with the courts.”

The owner of two Kawaii Sushi locations in Peoria and Glendale has an American husband, Aldo, and daughter named Zita.

“I hope that (someone) can help me in the future that can change my status in the United States,” Yu told Fox 10 News. “We crossed the border. We didn’t do anything wrong in the country. We just want to have a better life, pay our taxes.”

Background on West Valley restaurant owner detained by ICE

The undocumented immigrant, who fled China more than 20 years ago, had sought asylum in the United States and was denied while pregnant with her daughter. She was detained on May 28, 2025, at a monthly immigration meeting and faced deportation.

12News reporter Sean Rice told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Outspoken with Bruce and Gaydos last July that Yu had been to “multiple of these meetings in previous months and she was not detained.”

A slew of Arizona Democratic lawmakers, including U.S. Sens. Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego, jointly penned a letter to President Donald Trump last September calling for her release.

“She is widely recognized for her contributions to the community, including donating meals to homeless shelters, supporting high school baseball teams and supporting local law enforcement,” the lawmakers said.

While detained in Eloy, Yu could only see visitors on Sundays, and last August she was visited by unlikely partners in Lisa Everett, Republican Party Chair for Legislative District 29, and Brent Peak, co-chair of progressive activist group Northwest Valley Indivisible.

“I’m so happy to be out. I’m so happy to be able to (be back) with my family,” Yu said. “Thank you so much for the help and care that everyone been sending to me. Thank you so much to everyone.”

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