Key Takeaways
• Carol Mayorga was detained by ICE during a USCIS appointment despite a valid work permit until 2026.
• Kennett, Missouri community organized a ‘Bring Carol Home’ campaign supporting Carol’s release from detention.
• Carol’s attorney filed emergency legal motions; her case highlights challenges in U.S. immigration enforcement.
A Missouri Woman’s Release from ICE Detention Sparks Community Reflection
A small town in Missouri recently found itself at the center of a national conversation about immigration enforcement, family unity, and community values. The case of Ming Li Hui—known locally as Carol Mayorga—has drawn attention not only for its personal impact but also for the way it has challenged assumptions about immigration policy in rural America. Carol’s release from ICE detention in early June 2025 followed weeks of local advocacy and has left many in Kennett, Missouri, asking important questions about how immigration laws are enforced and whom they affect.
Who is Carol Mayorga and Why Was She Detained?
Carol Mayorga, whose legal name is Ming Li Hui, is a longtime resident of Kennett, Missouri. She immigrated to the United States 🇺🇸 from Hong Kong more than 20 years ago and has lived in Kennett for nearly two decades. Carol is a mother of three children—ages 14, 12, and 7—and is known in her community as a hard worker, a homeowner, and an active member of her local Catholic church.
In late April 2025, Carol traveled from Kennett to St. Louis for what she believed was a routine appointment with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to renew her employment authorization document. This document, often called a work permit, allows non-citizens to legally work in the United States while their immigration cases are pending. Instead of a simple renewal, Carol was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), shackled, and placed in custody. She was then moved between several jails across Missouri, including the Greene County Jail in Springfield, while facing possible deportation to Hong Kong.
Why Was Carol Detained?
Carol’s detention came as a shock to her, her family, and her community. According to her attorney, Raymond Bolourtchi, Carol had been living in the United States under an order of supervision—a status that allows certain immigrants to remain in the country while they work toward legal status or citizenship. She had also been regularly checking in with immigration officials and keeping her paperwork up to date. Her employment authorization document was not set to expire until January 2026.
Despite her compliance, ICE officers arrested Carol during her USCIS appointment. The reasons for her detention have not been fully explained by authorities, but her attorney argued that there was no justification for holding her while her case was still being reviewed. Bolourtchi emphasized that Carol was not a flight risk or a danger to the community, stating, “She’s not going into hiding. She’s not a danger to anyone. She’s a mother to three kids.”
How Did the Community Respond?
Carol’s arrest and detention quickly became a rallying point for the people of Kennett, a rural town in Dunklin County where 80% of voters supported President Trump in the last presidential election. Despite the town’s strong support for strict immigration policies, many residents felt that Carol’s case did not fit the narrative they had expected.
Community members organized a “Bring Carol Home” campaign, speaking out at city council meetings, writing letters, and contacting elected officials. Lisa Dry, a Kennett City Council member and friend of Carol’s, was one of the most vocal supporters. She described the shock and sadness felt by the community when Carol was taken away, recalling how Carol was “the most uplifting person you could hope to know.”
John’s Pancake & Waffle House, where Carol worked—sometimes holding up to three jobs at once—became a hub for advocacy. The restaurant’s owner, Liridona Ramadani, spoke publicly about Carol’s positive influence and the hardship her absence caused for both her family and the business.
Church friends also joined the effort, with Vanessa Cowart telling The New York Times, “I voted for Donald Trump, and so did practically everyone here. But no one voted to deport moms. We were all under the impression we were just getting rid of the gangs, the people who came here in droves.”
The Legal Battle: What Happened Behind the Scenes?
While Carol was in ICE detention, her attorney filed two urgent requests with the Board of Immigration Appeals:
- A motion to reopen her case—This is a legal request asking the court to review her case again, often because of new evidence or changed circumstances.
- An emergency stay of removal—This is a request to temporarily stop her deportation while her case is being reviewed.
Both requests were still pending at the time of Carol’s release. According to her attorney, Carol’s legal status allowed her to remain in the United States 🇺🇸 under supervision, and her work permit was valid until early 2026. The legal process for immigrants in Carol’s situation can be long and complicated, often involving multiple agencies and court hearings.
For readers interested in the official process for seeking a stay of removal, information is available on the U.S. Department of Justice’s Executive Office for Immigration Review website.
Carol’s Experience in Detention
Carol’s time in ICE detention was difficult and frightening. According to her friend Lisa Dry, Carol was shackled and left alone for hours after her arrest. She was moved between several jails in Missouri, far from her children and community. While in the Greene County Jail, Carol spoke to media outlets, expressing her fear and her desire to stay with her family in the United States.
In a podcast interview, Carol said, “Please protect me. I’m so sorry. I have a poor English. I don’t know. I just want to [be with] my family with my children, stay here in the U.S. for freedom and have [a] better life.” Her main concern was for her children, especially her 14-year-old son who has autism. She worried about what would happen to them if she were deported, saying, “I don’t want they live in the street with me because if I’m by myself I live in the street. I think I can handle it by myself but with my children no.”
Release and What Comes Next
On or shortly before June 5, 2025, Carol was released from the Greene County Jail. The specific conditions of her release have not been made public, and it is not clear whether the threat of deportation has been permanently removed. Her attorney remains hopeful that the Board of Immigration Appeals will grant her a formal stay, which would prevent her deportation while her case is reviewed.
Carol’s release was met with relief and celebration in Kennett, but her future remains uncertain. She is back with her children and community, but the legal process is ongoing. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, cases like Carol’s highlight the complexity and unpredictability of the U.S. immigration system, especially for people who have lived in the country for many years and have strong community ties.
Why Does This Case Matter?
Carol Mayorga’s story is important for several reasons:
- It shows how immigration enforcement can affect families and communities, not just individuals. Carol’s detention separated her from her children and caused distress for her friends, coworkers, and neighbors.
- It challenges assumptions about who is targeted by immigration enforcement. Even in a town that strongly supports strict immigration policies, many residents did not expect someone like Carol—a longtime resident, worker, and mother—to be at risk of deportation.
- It raises questions about the balance between enforcing immigration laws and protecting families. Carol’s case has prompted local and national discussions about whether current policies are fair and effective.
Background: How Does ICE Detention Work?
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is the federal agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws in the United States 🇺🇸. ICE can detain people who are believed to be in the country without legal status or who have violated the terms of their stay. Detention can happen during routine check-ins, traffic stops, or appointments with immigration officials.
People in ICE detention may be held in local jails or dedicated immigration detention centers. They may face deportation (also called removal) if an immigration judge orders it. However, many people in detention have ongoing legal cases and may be eligible for release while their cases are reviewed.
What is an Employment Authorization Document?
An employment authorization document (EAD), sometimes called a work permit, is a card issued by USCIS that allows certain non-citizens to work legally in the United States. People with pending immigration cases, asylum seekers, and others may qualify for an EAD. Carol’s EAD was valid until January 2026, meaning she was legally allowed to work at the time of her detention.
For more information about EADs and how to apply, visit the USCIS Employment Authorization Document page.
What is an Order of Supervision?
An order of supervision is a type of immigration status that allows someone to remain in the United States while their case is being processed. People under an order of supervision must regularly check in with ICE and follow certain rules. This status does not provide permanent legal residency, but it can allow people to live and work in the country temporarily.
Implications for Stakeholders
- For Immigrants: Carol’s case is a reminder that even people who have lived in the United States 🇺🇸 for many years, have jobs, and follow the rules can still face detention and possible deportation. It highlights the importance of keeping documentation up to date and seeking legal help when needed.
- For Families: The emotional and financial impact of detention can be severe, especially for families with children. Carol’s children faced the possibility of losing their mother and their home.
- For Employers: Businesses that rely on immigrant workers may be affected when employees are detained. John’s Pancake & Waffle House lost a valued worker and community member during Carol’s detention.
- For Communities: The case has sparked conversations about what kind of community people want to live in and how immigration policies align with local values.
Community Voices: A Shift in Perspective
The response in Kennett shows that immigration enforcement is not just a political issue—it is a personal one. Many residents who supported President Trump’s immigration agenda found themselves questioning the impact of those policies when someone they knew and cared about was affected.
As one resident put it, “No one voted to deport moms.” The case has prompted some in the community to reconsider what fair and effective immigration enforcement should look like.
What Can Others Learn from Carol’s Experience?
- Stay informed about your rights and responsibilities. Immigrants should know their legal status, keep documents current, and seek legal advice when needed.
- Community support can make a difference. Carol’s release was due in part to the strong advocacy from her friends, coworkers, and neighbors.
- Legal processes can be slow and uncertain. Even with community support, the outcome of immigration cases is not always clear or quick.
Next Steps for Carol and Her Family
Carol’s immediate priority is to care for her children and return to her daily life in Kennett. Her attorney will continue to fight for a permanent resolution to her case, hoping for a stay of removal or another form of relief that would allow her to remain in the United States 🇺🇸.
For others facing similar situations, resources are available through organizations like the U.S. Department of Justice’s Executive Office for Immigration Review, which provides information on immigration court processes and legal rights.
Conclusion: A Case That Resonates Beyond Missouri
The story of Carol Mayorga’s detention and release has touched many people in Missouri and beyond. It serves as a powerful example of how immigration policies affect real lives and communities. As reported by VisaVerge.com, cases like Carol’s are becoming more common, raising important questions about the future of immigration enforcement in the United States 🇺🇸.
For Carol, her family, and her community, the journey is not over. But her story has already made a lasting impact, reminding everyone that behind every immigration case is a person, a family, and a community that cares.
Learn Today
ICE → U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency enforcing immigration laws and detaining undocumented individuals.
Employment Authorization Document → A legal permit issued by USCIS allowing non-citizens to work in the United States.
Order of Supervision → A temporary immigration status letting individuals stay in the U.S. while their case is pending.
Board of Immigration Appeals → The appellate body reviewing immigration case decisions and petitions in the United States.
Stay of Removal → A legal order temporarily preventing deportation while an immigration case is under review.
This Article in a Nutshell
Carol Mayorga’s unexpected ICE detention in Missouri sparked community activism in a pro-Trump town, revealing tensions between immigration policies and family unity amid legal battles.
— By VisaVerge.com
