Portland State food cart owner detained by ICE, business closes permanently
Apr 26, 2026·Location: Portland, OR
Country of origin: Laos

Thovatsay Phimmoungkhoun, owner of Khao Niew Lao Street Food, a food cart operating near Portland State University in Portland, Oregon, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The cart, known for serving Lao street food including sticky rice to PSU students, announced permanent closure following his detention. Phimmoungkhoun was transferred to a detention facility in Tacoma, Washington, and faces deportation to Laos. His family and supporters created a GoFundMe fundraiser to assist with his case.
Timeline
Sources
- Owner of popular Portland State food cart detained by ICE; Community shocked, saddened
KPTV·Apr 26, 2026·archived copy
- Khao Niew food truck closing in Southwest Portland after owner detained by ICE - The Portland Tribune
portlandtribune.com·Apr 24, 2026·archived copy
- KGW
- Owner of popular Portland State food truck released from ICE detention
KPTV·Jun 21, 2026·archived copy
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