A heart-wrenching story unfolds in a small Ohio town, where a beloved community member, Boudylam "Lam" Simmavanh, faces an uncertain future. Lam, a skilled welder and devoted father of four, has called the United States home for four decades since arriving as a child refugee from Laos. However, his peaceful life is now threatened by the specter of deportation, a consequence of the Trump administration's promise to execute the "largest deportation operation" in U.S. history.
Fearing the worst, Lam and his family took proactive steps. Starting in February, they began collecting letters from family and community members, testifying to Lam's character and his positive influence on their tight-knit community in Orrville, Ohio. These letters, over two dozen in number, paint a picture of a loving family man, a dedicated worker, and a mentor to many. Half of these letters were shared with NBC News, highlighting the support Lam enjoys in his community.
David Handwerk, the former mayor of Orrville and a teacher to Lam and his siblings, wrote, "Allow productive people like Lam to stay with their families. We can't fix this by tearing apart families who have lived here most of their lives." Korbin Sprowls, Lam's son-in-law, described Lam as a role model, praising his kindness, loyalty, and dedication to providing for and protecting his family. Rachel Wallace, a friend, emphasized the impact Lam's deportation would have on the entire community, not just his immediate family.
On October 28th, after 18 years of regular check-ins with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Lam's fears became a reality. He was detained during a routine appointment. His family believes that Lam's case exemplifies how good, contributing members of society are being caught up in the Trump administration's focus on arresting "the worst of the worst."
In a recent interview with "60 Minutes," President Trump stated that he felt immigration enforcement raids across the country "haven't gone far enough." When asked about deporting those without criminal records, he said, "We have to start with a policy, and the policy has to be, you came into the country illegally, you're going to go out."
As of September 25th, ICE data showed that over 59,000 immigrants were in their custody. Of these, 28.7% had criminal convictions, and 25.4% had pending criminal charges.
Audra Simmavanh, Lam's wife of over 20 years and a U.S. citizen, shared her concerns. She described her husband as a devoted father to their four children, aged 6 to 27. "We're just a simple family trying to live our lives and pay our bills. My children are devastated, and everyone in this community has been supporting us, saying he's no threat to this community," she said.
Melanie Joyce, Audra's sister, described the day Lam was detained. He was held in a locked room, separated from his family by a glass divider, and only able to speak through a phone on the wall. "He was immediately treated like a criminal on the other side of the glass, and our ICE officer wouldn't even let him come around to hug his wife and kids goodbye," she said.
Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security, issued a statement saying that Simmavanh is in the country illegally from Laos and was previously charged with carrying a concealed weapon and domestic violence. The agency also stated that Simmavanh had received an order of removal and "received full due process."
"Under President Trump and Secretary Noem, if you break the law, you will face the consequences. Criminal illegal aliens are not welcome in the U.S.," the DHS statement read.
Audra Simmavanh refuted these claims, saying they don't tell the full story. She explained that the charges stemmed from a disputed domestic incident in 1999, where her husband received poor legal representation. He pleaded no contest to two misdemeanor charges at his lawyer's advice and was sentenced to six months' probation, as court documents show.
"People are believing the lies when they say they're only getting these bad, bad criminals," Audra said, describing her husband as a loving father who puts his family first.
Lam first came to the U.S. in 1986 as a refugee fleeing Laos' repressive government, sponsored by a local church. His family said it was unclear what happened to his first green card, issued in 1986, but he received a second green card in 2000. In 2007, Lam was detained after ICE claimed he missed a court date, which the family says they never knew about. An immigration judge ruled he could be deported, but Laos was not accepting its citizens back from the U.S. at that time. Lam was allowed to stay and work while appearing for yearly check-ins with ICE.
Audra said her family had hope again recently when a petition she submitted to sponsor her husband for a green card was approved during the Biden administration. However, Lam's situation remains uncertain, and his absence is felt throughout the community, including at the company where he worked for 25 years as a welder.
"If you've ever made a single mistake in your life and you're not a citizen, it's hard to get out of that loop," Joyce said.
The community has rallied to support the Simmavanh family, raising money to help them through this difficult time. However, Audra worries about their future. With her husband in detention, she had to apply for Medicaid because they no longer have health insurance for their children through his job. Now, she may have to sell her house as well.
"My community is fighting," Audra said. "They're calling the governor's office, state representatives, and many others to understand why this is happening to good people."
This story highlights the human cost of immigration policies and the impact they have on individuals, families, and communities. It raises important questions about the balance between enforcing immigration laws and the potential for tearing apart families and communities.
