By Sean Rice | 12News
PHOENIX — Arizona Congressman Greg Stanton is publicly calling for the release of Peoria business owner Kelly Yu, who has been held in the Eloy Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility since late May.
Stanton, a Democrat representing Arizona’s 4th Congressional District, attempted to visit Yu Friday morning as part of a congressional oversight tour of the Eloy facility. He says he was denied entry by ICE officials.
"I've already written to the DHS Secretary Noem, the DHS Secretary General, Director of ICE, and the oversight staff of the House Homeland Security Committee, to notify them of this breach of federal law, and we will be in communication with House officials and my colleagues on the House Judiciary Committee to further respond," Rep. Stanton said.
12News reached out to ICE officials requesting a statement on Stanton's alleged denial, but at the time of publication, we are still awaiting a response.
“Kelly is a mother, a wife, business owner and a valued member of our community,” Stanton said. “She has been detained at the Eloy center since May 28," Stanton said at a press conference Friday.
Yu, the longtime owner of Kawaii Sushi in the West Valley, has lived in the U.S. for 21 years. Her family and customers have rallied behind her, calling on immigration authorities to consider her years of community contributions and allow her to stay.
Her husband, Aldo, spoke exclusively with 12News earlier this month about the toll her detention has taken on their family and business. “I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy,” he said. "To having somebody and all of a sudden taking that person away."
Congressman Stanton reached out to Aldo and expressed his support for the family. His effort to visit Yu in person was blocked, but he continues to speak out against what he describes as a misguided deportation policy.
“People are very angry about how this administration is administering federal immigration law. The President and his team said that they were going to deport violent criminals. The American people support that. I support that," Rep. Stanton said. "
"But what they've they've done, and what we continue to see them to do is instead a mass deportation policy.”
According to ICE, Yu entered the country illegally in 2004. A year later, an immigration judge ordered her removed. Yu appealed the decision multiple times, but each appeal — including one to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals — was denied. Her legal status remained unresolved for years, until her recent detention.
This is not the first time Yu has been in ICE custody. Records show she was detained once before in December 2024. Now, with a final removal order in place, immigration officials are working to obtain travel documents from China, according to Kelly's immigration attorney. Her deportation could happen at any time.
Despite the legal complexities, Yu’s family and supporters stress her deep ties to the community. Over the years, she’s donated to high school sports teams, the Peoria Police Department, and local homeless shelters. She also has zero criminal record of any kind in her over two decades in the United States.
“Every customer who walks into the restaurant says the same thing — they miss her energy, her smile, her presence," Aldo said.
Stanton echoed that sentiment, saying Yu’s case highlights the urgent need for comprehensive immigration reform.
“It does not serve the American interest that she is now in detention and facing deportation. She is exactly why we need to finally pass comprehensive immigration reform in the United States of America," Rep. Stanton said.
As the immigration process moves forward, Aldo says he plans to visit Kelly in person at the Eloy facility this weekend, though he admits it’s nothing like having her home.
"If she would get out tomorrow, trust me, I'd be the happiest person in the world," Aldo said.
ICE has given no indication that Kelly will released pending her deportation. They have the ability to hold a detainee, with a final order of removal, for as long as they choose.