Full Breakdown
Separation of Chinese Father and Son by ICE Raises Concerns
12/3/2025, 8:48:48 PM
Incident Overview: Arrest and Separation
On November 26, 2025, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested Fei Zheng, a Chinese asylum seeker, and his 6-year-old son, Yuanxin, during a scheduled immigration check-in at 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan. Following the arrest, Fei was taken to the Orange County Correction Facility in Goshen, New York, while the whereabouts of Yuanxin remain unknown. Community advocates who accompanied the family reported that they were separated inside the facility without any information provided to Fei about his son's location.
Background: Previous Detentions and Asylum Seeking
Fei and Yuanxin had previously been detained by ICE on two occasions since their arrival in the United States in April 2025, when they sought asylum. After spending time in a family detention center, they were released on parole in late October 2025. They had been living in a family shelter in Queens, where Yuanxin had recently enrolled in first grade at P.S. 166Q in Astoria. The family was required to check in with ICE again in early December, which led to their latest detention.
Official Statements and Responses
Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, stated that ICE does not separate families and claimed that Fei was acting disruptively during the arrest, which endangered his son's wellbeing. She asserted that families are given the option to leave together or have their children placed with a designated safe person. However, advocates, including Jennie Spector, have contested this narrative, arguing that the separation constitutes a violation of family unity and that ICE's claims are misleading.
Criticism and Community Impact
The incident has drawn significant criticism from local officials and community advocates. Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani expressed concern over the separation, emphasizing that a 6-year-old should be in school rather than in custody. Diana Moreno, a local assembly candidate, highlighted the broader impact on the community, noting the distress caused to families witnessing classmates disappear overnight due to ICE actions.
Conflicting Reports and Gaps
Reports regarding the treatment of families by ICE have been difficult to verify, as many families are quickly deported, and relatives often fear retaliation for speaking out. There have been multiple accounts of children being taken by ICE during check-ins, but corroborating details remain scarce due to the rapid nature of these detentions.
Verbatim Quotes
- “This is a 6-year-old who should be in school, not living in detention,” — Jennie Spector, Community Advocate
- “Six-year-old Yuanxin had just enrolled in the first grade at an elementary school in Astoria. Now he’s in custody, alone. ICE won’t say where. This cruelty serves no one. It must end.” — Zohran Mamdani, Mayor-elect
- “ “For them to say they don’t separate families is just an outright lie because we know that they do and they did in this situation.” — Jennie Spector, Community Advocate
What's Next: Legal Support and Advocacy
Advocates are currently working to secure legal assistance for Fei and Yuanxin, aiming to reunite them and challenge the actions taken by ICE. The situation underscores ongoing concerns regarding immigration enforcement practices and their impact on families seeking asylum in the United States.
