Senator Says ICE 'Chasing Quotas' After Release of Sushi Restaurant Owner

Source: Newsweek

Published Feb 21, 2026 at 08:29 PM EST updated Feb 22, 2026 at 05:52 PM EST


Representative Ruben Gallego of Arizona, a Democrat, has accused Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) of "chasing quotas" rather than targeting criminals as officials have said.

"Kelly Yu is back with her family, where she should’ve been all along," Gallego wrote on X. "Nearly a year in ICE custody for someone with no criminal record isn’t public safety. Instead of targeting real threats, this administration is chasing quotas and locking up small business owners who make our country better."

Why It Matters

Kelly Yu was detained in May 2025 and held until this week following a routine immigration check-in after entering the United States from China illegally decades ago. Yu, the owner of two sushi restaurants in Glendale and Peoria, has drawn national attention as community members and lawmakers rallied to her cause and demanded her release.

Her story is just one of many that have surfaced throughout the Trump administration's mass deportation operation, which is reportedly the largest in the nation's history. However, the methods used to achieve that goal have drawn heightened scrutiny after it came to light that ICE agents were arresting U.S. citizens and people living legally in the country.

Read more: https://www.newsweek.com/senator-gallego-ice-chasing-quotas-kelly-yu-release-11562008

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