Carol Mayorga, a mother of three and Kennett, Missouri, resident, remains in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody after she was detained during what she believed would be a routine immigration appointment in St. Louis in late April.Mayorga, 45, whose legal name is Ming Li Hui, now faces deportation to Hong Kong after a little more than two decades living in the U.S., igniting widespread support and protest in her community—even among its fervent backers of President Donald Trump, NPR affiliate St. Louis Public Radio (STLPR) reported.Newsweek reached out to Mayorga's employer, her attorney and ICE for comment on Saturday morning.Why It MattersMayorga's case underscores the breadth of Trump's mass deportation policy as it sweeps up long-term residents and parents alongside recent southern border crossers and undocumented arrivals. The detainment of a well-known community figure triggered protest, fundraising and public calls for her release in Kennett—a town where Trump has significant support.What To KnowMayorga headed to a government immigration office in St. Louis last month to renew her employment authorization. She was called in on short notice, deviating from her previously scheduled August appointment, according to the Delta Dunklin Democrat.After waiting for nearly seven hours, ICE agents detained her, placed her in shackles, and transported her between jails before confining her to Greene County Jail.Long-Time Resident, Community FixtureMayorga fled an abusive mother in Hong Kong and first entered the U.S. in 2004 on a visa. For nearly two decades, she lived in Kennett, working multiple jobs including at John's Waffle & Pancake House and raising three children, all U.S. citizens by birth.Due to the past abuse she suffered in Hong Kong, Mayorga previously applied for asylum, according to STLPR. In those proceedings, she shared letters from family members warning that her safety could be at risk if she returned home, but the asylum claim was denied in 2014.Community members describe her as a dedicated soccer mom and frequent volunteer, active in her church and her children's sports teams, STLPR reported.Local Trump Supporters Demand ReprieveKennett—with a population of roughly 10,000—is a Trump stronghold. However, Mayorga's detention has drawn criticism, as the community rallies to support her.Bud Garrison, a local who attended a recent fundraiser in support at John's Waffle & Pancake House for Mayorga, told STLPR, "Ninety-five percent of the people in here support Trump—I do too—but this is wrong."Garrison and his wife Anita printed black T-shirts that said, "Bring Carol Home" and #TEAMCAROL in bold yellow, STLPR reported.Anita Garrison said, "We don't feel what's happened to her is right. She's a very upstanding citizen in our community. Her kids are into the sports, she's in the church, and she's a very upstanding citizen as far as I'm concerned. I think she deserves to be free with her kids."Dunklin County, where Kennett is largest city, overwhelming backed Trump in 2016, 2020 and 2024. In the most recent election, a little more than 80 percent of the county's voters supported the Republican president."She is a person like no other you will ever meet," Liridona Ramadani, who owns John's Waffle & Pancake House, said, Springfield Daily Citizen reported. "She is the nicest, hardest working, most devoted mother that I've ever met.""She is giving, goes to church. She is trying to do everything right as a mother, as an employee," Ramadani said.Trump Administration Policy ChangesAfter Trump's second inauguration in January, deportations have expanded to target long-term visa-holders and those with prior orders of removal, regardless of apparent community integration or family ties.ICE has detained individuals during scheduled immigration appointments, and even some green card holders, which denotes permanent residency, have faced detention over years or decades old legal issues. Some U.S. citizens have also been briefly detained by ICE, as agents mistakenly believe they are immigrants.The White House has also rolled out a program incentivizing undocumented residents to self-deport using a mobile app, offering up to $1,000 in travel stipends, in a bid to reduce enforcement costs and bureaucratic backlogs. While the administration described self-deportation as a "dignified" option, figures on participation in the program have not been released.Legal Hurdles and Uncertain FutureMayorga previously appealed her deportation order but was denied relief. Her attorney, Raymond Bolourtchi, is seeking a stay from the Board of Immigration Appeals. Supporters have raised over $20,000 to cover legal fees and support Mayorga's children while she remains incarcerated.What People Are SayingLisa Dry, Kennett City Councilor, told Delta Dunklin Democrat: "There are a lot of people upset about this. People may not have been paying attention, but what happened to Carol is happening way too often. It is not an aberration."Reverend Kirsten King, a local pastor, to STLPR about Mayorga's situation: "I know that when my congregation raises something to me, it's important. I had it said to me in that very first phone call. This is not the kind of person who should be treated this way."Mayorga's employer, John's Waffle & Pancake House, in a May 20 Facebook post: "She's a wonderful person, a tireless worker, a devoted mother. Someone who gives without asking, who puts others first, and who meets each challenge with quiet strength and grace. She may be an immigrant, but she is, without a doubt, one of our own. And today, we've come together—not divided by differences, but united by love, respect, and the shared understanding that when one of us is in need, we all step up. It doesn't matter where you come from—it matters who you are. And Carol, through her kindness, her humility, and her resilience, has shown us the kind of person we all aspire to be."What Happens Next?Mayorga's legal team awaits a decision from the Board of Immigration Appeals on her request for a stay of deportation. Community members and local officials continue outreach to Missouri's congressional delegation, while Mayorga remains detained pending resolution of her case.