South St. Paul – When Zong Yang, 49, was arrested in February and deported to Laos in May as part of Operation Metro Surge, his family faced a sudden, painful shift. The Yangs, long‑time residents of the city’s southeast neighborhood, have turned to technology and faith to keep their household together.
Morning routine reshaped
Every weekday at 8 a.m., the Yang boys—King, 3; Titan, 7; Everest, 8; Kenji, 15; and Yaay, 17—prepare for school while their mother, Linda, 41, juggles work and childcare. Before the deportation, Zong would rise before dawn, work the overnight shift at Home Depot in Inver Grove Heights, and be home in time to help the younger boys brush their teeth, dress, and catch the bus.
Now, Zong watches the family from a Ring camera installed on the front door of their Minnesota home. The camera streams live to his phone in Vientiane, twelve hours ahead, giving him a glimpse of the morning chaos. “It works out good; it gives me a little peace back,” he told Sahan Journal. He tries to be as involved as possible, even if only through a screen.
Linda balances work and parenting
Linda now works a split schedule: she drops King off at preschool around 8:50 a.m., returns home for a brief remote‑work stint, then heads to her office for in‑person duties. After picking King up, she leaves him with a relative while she fulfills her job responsibilities.
“We were always trying to figure out what we needed to do, or how we’re going to make it work,” Linda said. The family’s routine has required her to double her work hours and adjust childcare plans, especially for the youngest son who previously relied on his father’s presence.
Staying connected across continents
Daily video calls and phone conversations have become lifelines. Zong shares videos of his new life in Laos—visits to the zoo, lessons he’s teaching a friend’s son English, and everyday moments. The family watches these clips together, imagining what life would be like if Zong were still in Minnesota.
“Dad would take us too, right?” Titan asked, recalling a trip to the zoo. Linda’s answer was a heartfelt affirmation, keeping the memory of Zong’s involvement alive for the children.
Faith and hope guide the family
Both parents lean on their Christian faith to endure the hardship. Linda expressed that their marriage and family bond remain strong because they look forward to a future where they might reunite, perhaps after Zong obtains Lao citizenship and a passport.
“We can’t look at it like this is the end,” Linda said. “We have to look forward, in three to five years, to keep us strong.”
Community response
The Yang family’s story has resonated with local faith groups and immigrant‑support organizations in South St. Paul, who have offered assistance ranging from childcare help to language‑learning resources for Zong’s adjustment in Laos.
While the family continues to navigate the challenges of separation, their perseverance underscores the resilience of immigrant families who uphold traditional values and parental responsibilities despite federal immigration enforcement actions.
Original reporting: Wisconsin Watch — read the source article.
