Let Kelly Yu go, Arizona Democrats urge President Donald Trump in new letter

PHOENIX — Four of Arizona’s top Democrats are urging the Trump administration to release a Peoria woman detained at the Eloy Detention Center.

On Friday, U.S. Sen. Mark Kelly, U.S. Rep. Greg Stanton, U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego and U.S. Rep Yassamin Ansari wrote a joint letter describing Yu as a pillar of the West Valley community.

“Her case is emblematic of the kind of longtime, non-criminal residents with deep family and community ties for whom discretion is intended,” the lawmakers said in a joint letter to President Donald Trump, Attorney General Pam Bondi and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

Why are Kelly, Stanton, Gallego, Ansari fighting for detained Peoria woman Kelly Yu?

Yu is being held at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Eloy Detention Center, and her removal has been ordered.

In their letter, Kelly, Stanton, Gallego and Ansari said they understand the Trump administration’s goal of deporting dangerous undocumented migrants. However, they emphasized that Yu does not fall under that category.

“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.

Aside from illegally entering the U.S., which she did to avoid being forced to terminate her pregnancy under China’s now-defunct One Child Policy, she has not broken any laws, the lawmakers said.

“Kelly applied for asylum, later was denied by an immigration judge, which she appealed. Throughout the period of her appeal, she has remained under ICE supervision for two decades,” the lawmakers said. “She has demonstrated for over twenty years that she will comply with ICE supervision while her application is reviewed.”

Note: This story originally said the letter was sent on Sept. 8, 2025. It was sent on Sept. 5, 2025.

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