Trump Town in Shock Beloved Waitress Detained!

A Missouri Town Grapples with Deportation: When Loyalty Collides with Immigration Law

Kennett, Missouri, a traditionally conservative farming community nestled in the state's southeastern "boot heel," is facing a stark reality that's challenging its values and forcing a re-evaluation of long-held beliefs. The catalyst? The detention of Carol, a beloved local waitress, by federal immigration officials.

The first ripple of concern spread through Kennett early this month when Carol, whose legal name is Ming Li Hui, uncharacteristically missed her shift at John's Waffle and Pancake House. For two decades, Carol had been a fixture in Kennett, a town of roughly 10,000. Her dedication was legendary.

Carol’s life in Kennett was a testament to hard work and integration:

• Arrived from Hong Kong 20 years ago.
• Worked tirelessly at two waitressing jobs.
• Supplemented her income cleaning houses.
• Devoted herself to learning English, often reading leftover newspapers at the diner.
• Known for her warm hugs and genuine care for customers.

“Everyone knows Carol,” emphasizes Lisa Dry, a Kennett city councilwoman, highlighting her integral role in the community.

The situation took a dramatic turn on April 30th. Carol was summoned to the immigration office in St. Louis, a daunting three-hour drive from Kennett. Despite her partner's concerns about potential risks, Carol, a 45-year-old immigrant, chose to comply. "I didn't want to run," Ms. Hui stated in a phone interview from jail. "I just wanted to do the right thing."

The news of Carol's detention and potential deportation has sent shockwaves through Kennett. This is a town where loyalty and community values run deep. The situation raises complex questions:

• What happens when a community's deeply ingrained values clash with federal immigration policies?
• How does a town reconcile its support for conservative principles with the potential loss of a valued member of its community?
• Will Kennett rally to support Carol and fight for her right to stay?

The outpouring of support for Carol suggests that Kennett is grappling with these questions. Her story is a microcosm of the larger national debate surrounding immigration, forcing individuals and communities to confront the human cost of policy.

Carol's fate remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: her story has ignited a conversation in Kennett, Missouri, a conversation that will undoubtedly shape the town's future and its understanding of what it truly means to be a community.

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/28/us/missouri-immigrant-trump.html