Father and 6-Year-Old Son Separated After Being Detained by ICE at Routine Check-in  

A 6-year-old boy and his father were separated by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during what was supposed to be a routine check-in at the agency’s New York City office on Nov. 26, according to multiple reports.

Fei Zheng and his son, Yuanxin, had come to the ICE headquarters at 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan for a scheduled appointment as they sought asylum after leaving China. Advocates who accompanied the family told The City that the two were quickly separated once inside the building.

Activist Jennie Spector told NY1 that she later spoke with Zheng about what happened. “He said to me, ‘I did what they said I should do. I came in for this check-in.’ And yet they arrested him and his son,” Spector said.

According to federal records cited by the New York Times, Zheng became agitated during the arrest and told officers that he wanted to die. He was then handcuffed and taken to an adult detention facility in Orange County, N.Y. Officials prepared to transfer his son to the Office of Refugee Resettlement, which is responsible for unaccompanied immigrant children, the outlet reported. Authorities have not publicly disclosed the child’s location.

ICE, which operates under the Department of Homeland Security, is the federal law enforcement agency tasked with enforcing immigration laws and combating cross-border crime in order to protect national security and public safety.

Federal documents reviewed by reporters indicate that Zheng and his son entered the United States without authorization in April, crossing the U.S.–Mexico border. A Border Patrol officer found them in Dulzura, Calif., and the pair were taken into custody.

In September, ICE attempted to place Zheng on a deportation flight back to China, but he refused to board, the Times reported. A second attempt in October also failed when he refused again, citing fear of the Chinese government. Afterward, the father and son settled in Queens, N.Y., where Yuanxin started attending a local elementary school.

According to federal records cited by the New York Times, Zheng and his son are expected to be reunited later this month when they are placed together on a deportation flight back to China.

Zheng’s attorney, Mike Gao, described the situation as heartbreaking. Speaking to the Times, he called it a “very sad story,” adding, “I don’t know what they’re going to do.”

Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin issued a statement denying that ICE separates families as a matter of policy.

“This is consistent with past administrations’ immigration enforcement. Parents are asked if they want to be removed with their children or ICE will place the children with a safe person the parent designates,” McLaughlin said.

Referring to the Zhengs as “illegal aliens from China,” McLaughlin said the family was given “a lawful order of removal as a family unit.”

“Mr. Zheng refused to board the plane and was acting so disruptive and aggressive that he endangered the child’s wellbeing. He even attempted to escape and abandon his son,” her statement continued. “Mr. Zheng had the right and the ability to depart the country as a family and willfully chose to not comply. To be clear, refusing a judge’s deportation order is a crime.”

The case has sparked political and public backlash. On Tuesday, Dec. 2, New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani posted on X that Yuanxin was now in custody and alone, adding, “ICE won’t say where. This cruelty serves no one. It must end.”

A representative for New York Sen. Chuck Schumer told the New York Times that Schumer and Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez are working with federal officials in an effort to determine the boy’s exact location.

New York City Council Member Julie Won told PIX11 that her office is aware of where Yuanxin is being held and said he is safe.

“As a mother, I condemn the separation of families, especially minors as young as 6 years old,” Won said. “New York City is a sanctuary city and must remain safe for all of our families.”