Father and son separated by ICE: 6-year-old boy “disappears” after detention in New York
A father of Chinese origin was detained by ICE in Manhattan and his 6-year-old son remains in custody with his location undisclosed.
A routine immigration procedure turned into a nightmare for Fei Zheng and his six year old son. What began as a mandatory appointment with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan ended with the father detained and the child separated from his family, with his whereabouts unknown. The case has sparked alarm among activists, politicians, and human rights organisations.
Zheng and his son, Yuanxin, Chinese migrants seeking asylum in the United States after crossing the border in April, arrived at the building hoping to comply with their immigration requirements. Instead, federal agents arrested the father and transferred him to an adult jail in Orange County, New York, without providing clear information about where his son had been taken.
Father and son separated by ICE: the boy is missing
“He did what he was told to do. He came to this registry,” said activist Jennie Spector, who has been in contact with the family. “And yet they arrested him and his son,” she added, underlining Zheng’s sense of injustice.
The child, who had recently enrolled in a school in Astoria, Queens, was classified by authorities as an “unaccompanied minor” and placed under the care of the Office of Refugee Resettlement, the agency responsible for migrant children in the United States. His location, however, has not been made public.
The case has reignited debate over US immigration policies and the separation of families. While the Department of Homeland Security officially denies that family separations take place, critics and human rights advocates continue to challenge that claim. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said that “ICE does not separate families” and that parents are consulted about whether to leave with their children or allow them to be housed with a designated responsible adult.
Local leaders have reacted with outrage. New York City mayor elect Zohran Mamdani wrote on social media that “Yuanxin is now in custody, alone. ICE won’t say where. This cruelty serves no one,” and called for the family’s immediate reunification.
The story of Fei and Yuanxin has raised alarm not only because of the child’s disappearance, but also because it comes after the pair were released in October to begin rebuilding their lives in Queens. Zheng had previously refused deportation flights out of fear of being sent back to China, and the family had spent weeks living, studying, and integrating into the city.
Related stories
As immigration organisations, lawyers, and elected officials push for an expedited process to reunite father and son, the case has once again drawn attention to a harsh reality of US immigration policy, one in which a child’s fate can remain hidden within a system that continues to provoke controversy and concern.
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.
Complete your personal details to comment