Xou Yang/Laos/First-Degree Murder

On July 16, 2025, ICE San Diego arrested Xou Yang, a 50-year-old citizen and national of Laos, following his identification as a criminal illegal alien with a conviction for first-degree murder. Yang was previously convicted in a U.S. court for the premeditated and intentional killing of another person—a charge classified as one of the most serious offenses under federal and state law. He is currently being held in ICE custody pending removal proceedings.

First-degree murder is defined as an aggravated felony and a crime involving moral turpitude under U.S. immigration law. Convictions of this magnitude result in mandatory detention and near-certain deportation, with permanent inadmissibility to the United States. In cases involving homicide, individuals are subject to strict removal protocols and prioritized enforcement.

ICE has not disclosed the details of Yang’s original case, including when the crime occurred or in which jurisdiction the conviction was entered. However, given the severity of the offense, Yang was identified as a high-priority candidate for immigration enforcement. He was arrested without incident and transferred to ICE custody, where he will remain until an immigration judge rules on his case.

Based on the nature of his conviction, Yang is ineligible for any form of immigration relief and is expected to be removed from the United States following the conclusion of his proceedings.