‘We did what I was told impossible,’ says wife of Anou Vongbandith, following his release.

Cinderella stories don’t happen every day, but this one certainly meets the criteria in its own way. It’s a story of love and resilience, and for damn sure reminds you — “It’s possible,” as Whitney Houston and Brandy once sang together.

That story is that of Anovsack ‘Anou’ Vongbandith, the local chef and restaurateur who, at the tail end of this past July, was detained by ICE, but on Wednesday, Oct. 29, officially returned to his place called home.

“Together, we did what I was told impossible,” his wife, Anh, told GIH, following his release.

Since the day he was taken, Anh has worked tirelessly to ensure the safe return of her husband, who went about a month without his heart medication and faced deportation back to Laos, though he’s only ever known the United States, after a former legal fiasco they thought they had put to bed came back to haunt.

This past Sunday, which was three months to the day of Anou’s imprisonment, Anh showed up to the NWRRIN panel discussion to give an update on Anou, at that time. She made it clear there that this hasn’t been an effort on her own, but one powered by the community.

Through a series of actions, such as letter-writing campaigns, rallies, and ongoing outreach — all run by neighbors — the Vongbandiths have even raised over $82,000, a reminder of the financial burden families endure to secure fundamental justice.

Anh Vongbandith giving an update to folks at Sunday’s event. (Photo: Rasheed Z. Ajamu)

Letter writing station set-up at Das Good Cafe. (Photo: Rasheed Z. Ajamu)

The wife-in-shining-armor told folks that their “solidarity and [their] love is what gives [her] hope.”

Anou’s release comes after last Wednesday, Oct. 22, when Anou was granted bond, and GIH was present to witness the hearing.

Judge Richard Bailey determined, during a virtual session attended by over 80 community members, that Anou was neither a flight risk nor a danger to the community. As a result, his bond was set at $7,500.

It’s a moment that has now paid off for neighbors like Ann Doley of the NW Reclaim Committee, who helped to organize some of these displays of resistance. Yesterday, she told GIH how she reacted to receiving this newest update.

“As soon as I saw the photo of Anou smiling from the back seat from Anh’s car, I felt a big mix of emotions, mostly happiness for Anou, Anh, and their daughter Jade, and relief that this part of their terrible ordeal is over.”

Although there were claims of an appeal and an initial move to stay the bond order, DHS/ICE did not file the required EOIR-43 “Notice of Service Intent to Appeal Custody Redetermination” within the one-business-day deadline.

Since the EOIR-43 is necessary to trigger an automatic stay of release, no automatic stay was in effect, and Anou was able to come home.

While on the other side of her own fairytale, at Sunday’s event, she prompted Northwest Philly neighbors to remember that what migrant families are facing is anything but a storybook fantasy.

She asked that folks keep showing up not just for her family, but for all.

“Let’s bring them back to where they belong — with their families, their friends, and their community — where they’re needed, loved, and valued. I know this is just the beginning of the fight for freedom.”

Note: The Germantown Info Hub has run this story with permission from the Vongbandith family. We have not asked Anou for a comment to respect the reunion and give them space, though we have spoken to Anh. We seek to inform without retraumatizing either our sources or our readers. When the time is right and when their family is ready, we promise to give more.