New york: A Chinese national and his six-year-old son have been deported to China after a period of detention in the United States, according to a community advocate. The father, Fei Zheng, and his son, Yuanxin, were separated during his detention in New York but have now returned to China.
According to Anadolu Agency, Jennie Spector, a community activist closely involved with Zheng's case, confirmed their arrival in China. Spector maintained communication with Zheng throughout his detention and verified their return through a friend of Zheng in China.
Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, stated in an email to The New York Times that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) does not separate families. She mentioned that parents are given the choice to be deported with their children or have them placed with a designated caregiver. Zheng and his son received a lawful removal order as a family unit. McLaughlin noted that Zheng's refusal to board the plane was disruptive and posed a risk to the child's wellbeing, emphasizing that ignoring a deportation order is a crime.
Spector expressed that Zheng eventually complied with the deportation order to reunite with his son, describing the situation as very sad and asserting that they were treated as criminals unfairly. McLaughlin stated in her email that the family was returned to their home country successfully.
Spector previously informed NBC News that Zheng and his son were detained during a routine check-in at ICE offices in New York City on November 26. This was Zheng's third detention since crossing into the US from the Mexican border with his son in April. Spector noted that Zheng expressed fears about returning to China but did not provide specific details regarding those concerns.
The Department of Homeland Security reported that Zheng was held at the Orange County Correctional Facility, while his son was placed under the care of the Office of Refugee Resettlement, responsible for unaccompanied immigrant children. The case prompted outrage among community activists who criticized the immigration policies of the Trump administration for separating the father and son. The child had recently started first grade at a public school.
An anti-ICE protest in Astoria, Queens, earlier this month saw participation from over 200 people, including members of the boy's school community. Organizers highlighted that the family had no other relatives in New York.