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In the U.S. Legally?

By Kesshia Peyton Anchor/Reporter

Even though Lam Luong moved to the United States from Vietnam, he had every legal right to be here. Get Breaking News Alerts. In the U.S. Legally?

Published: Wed, January 16, 2008 - 5:12 pm

Kesshia Peyton

Many of our News 5 viewers have been questioning Lam Luong's U.S. citizenship.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs Border patrol tell us that even though Luong moved to the United States from Vietnam, he had every legal right to be here.
Luong is considered a legal permanent resident.
What that means, is that he was issued what many know as the green card.
It allowed Luong to live and work here permanently.
Since he is is not a U.S.citizen, News 5 also asked Homeland Security how his charges on capital murder affects his status here.
A spokesperson said if convicted, Luong must serve out his sentence in the jurisdiction in which he was punished.
But if a jury finds Luong guilty and the judge only sentences him to only about 30 years behind bars (for example), once he is released, the Department of Homeland Security must send him back to Vietnam.
If that happens, Luong might have a problem.
Vietnam is one of several countries, that does not take back its citizens.
Because of a lot of red tape and privacy issues, we sent your email questions and concerns about Luong's past to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security headquarters in Washington D.C.
Once we get clearance, we'll pass more information on to you.

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NicoleR72 Says:

Thu, Jan 17, 2008 at 2:13 pm

And 30 years!! what a joke!!!

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NicoleR72 Says:

Thu, Jan 17, 2008 at 2:12 pm

I dont think that sending him back will be an issue, because if he doesnt get the death penalty, something is very wrong with this country and the people who let him get away with it..

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Rich Says:

Thu, Jan 17, 2008 at 8:25 am

Kessia, thanks for the article! I think legal immigrants who have been convicted of any drug offense should be incarcerated for that crime, then should immediatley be made to appear before an immigration judge with no time on the street and the judge would then have to follow federal quidlines and deport the criminal. If he has no country to go to we could ask Singapore to take and “rehabilitate” him according to their laws.

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chanel Says:

Thu, Jan 17, 2008 at 12:45 am

if he is not found guilty, that mean he will send back to vietnam. that’s it!!!!!!!! so easy for him. if he is send back to vietnam , is he still in jail back in vietnam or he have his freedom back in vietnam? I think he should be found guilty and should be on a death sentence without parole or what soever. 30 years for him is so......easy. he should be pay a for better price than that.

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bnreal Says:

Wed, Jan 16, 2008 at 7:31 pm

Does he have the green card that our government GAVE him when a family member sponsored him to move to the US, or did he get his by hiring an imigration lawyer and paying the hefty fees that it takes to obtain one? Does it matter?, probably not, a Green Card does not make you a good citizen,person, husband or father. Evil is Evil no matter where you originated from.

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IGJOMS Says:

Wed, Jan 16, 2008 at 5:40 pm

What are the chances this man will get 30 years? I don’t have a problem with him getting justice in Alabama. I just want it to be swift and final.

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