More than 30 people died while being detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in 2025, marking it as the deadliest year for those held in custody by the agency in two decades. At least five of the detainees who died were Asian nationals: Chaofeng Ge, Nhon Ngoc Nguyen, Tien Xuan Phan, Kaiyin Wong and Huabing Xie. So far their deaths have received little public attention, even as ICE increases raids, expands capacity at its facilities and accelerates deportations across the country.

Read article by Russell Jeung in the L.A. Times

Summary

The Los Angeles Times spoke with members of L.A.’s Thai community about mental health challenges, highlighting stigma, language barriers, and gaps in culturally competent care. Participants described stress from overwork, financial strain, isolation, and serious mental illness like depression and psychosis. A Thai chef shared how her grief after losing her mother went unrecognized by others who saw only her business success. Massage therapists, often subject to harassment and stereotyping, are organizing self-defense classes to build agency and protect themselves. Community leaders propose solutions such as hiring more Thai-speaking mental health professionals, using less stigmatizing language in Thai, and offering services in trusted spaces like temples, combining Buddhist mindfulness with modern mental health treatment.

Read article by Phi Do, Los Angeles Times.

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