Full Breakdown
Community Rally Supports 6-Year-Old Separated from Detained Father
12/10/2025, 8:56:28 AM
Incident Overview: Family Separation at ICE Check-In
On November 26, 2023, Fei Zheng and his 6-year-old son, Yuanxin, attended a scheduled check-in with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in New York City. Following this appointment, Fei Zheng was detained and placed in the Orange County Correctional Facility, while Yuanxin was transferred to the custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). This separation occurred just before Thanksgiving, prompting significant community outrage and mobilization.
Background: The Family's Immigration Journey
Fei Zheng and Yuanxin, both Chinese nationals, initially sought asylum in the United States in April 2023 after attempting to cross the southern border. They spent several weeks in a family detention center before being released on parole in early summer. However, they were arrested again during an ICE check-in in August and returned to detention. Their asylum case was administratively closed in September, and they were released again on October 24, only to face detention once more a month later.
Community Response: Rally for Reunification
In response to the separation, over 200 community members gathered in Astoria, Queens, on December 3, 2023, to protest against ICE's actions. The rally, organized by local advocacy groups including Indivisible Western Queens, featured signs with messages such as “Kids Aren’t Pawns” and “Kids Belong In School Not In Detention.” Participants expressed their outrage over the treatment of Yuanxin and called for his reunification with his father.
City Comptroller Brad Lander and local representatives, including Democratic Reps. Nydia Velázquez and Grace Meng, attended the rally, emphasizing the trauma inflicted on immigrant families by such separations. They criticized the use of family separation as a tactic to enforce deportation orders, stating that it undermines trust within immigrant communities.
Official Statements: ICE's Justification
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) defended the actions taken against Fei Zheng, stating that he had previously refused to comply with a lawful order of removal and had acted disruptively during his detention. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin noted that the separation was consistent with past immigration enforcement practices, asserting that ICE does not intentionally separate families but must prioritize the safety of children.
Criticism of Immigration Policies
Critics, including community leaders and elected officials, have condemned the current immigration policies that allow for such separations. Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani labeled the situation as cruel and called for an end to these practices. Advocates argue that these tactics not only traumatize families but also create a climate of fear within immigrant communities.
Verbatim Quotes
- “This cruelty serves no one,” — Zohran Mamdani, Mayor-elect of New York City
- “We cannot pull children into this horrible game.” — Devora Fein, Indivisible Western Queens leader
- “It's shocking that a 6-year-old child could be kidnapped by government police,” — Brad Lander, City Comptroller
What's Next: Ongoing Advocacy
Community advocates continue to push for the reunification of Fei Zheng and Yuanxin, seeking assistance from federal authorities to locate the child and facilitate his return to his father. The case highlights ongoing concerns regarding the treatment of immigrant families under current U.S. immigration policies.
