Increasing Support for Child of Father Facing Immigration Detention

On a recent Sunday, a powerful demonstration occurred in New York City, where over 200 individuals gathered to support a young boy named Yuanxin. He has been separated from his father, Fei Zheng, amid ongoing immigration detention issues. This incident unfolded following a routine check-in at the offices of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which turned into a distressing situation for the family.

Fei Zheng and his six-year-old son attended the ICE facility on November 26 for a standard immigration appointment. They waited outside the building with community volunteers, as regulations prohibited anyone from entering with them. Hours passed without any communication from Zheng, raising concerns about their situation.

The unsettling separation of father and son

After the appointment, ICE took Fei Zheng into custody and transferred him to the Orange County Correctional Facility. Meanwhile, his son was placed under the care of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). This agency is responsible for unaccompanied children, yet details about Yuanxin’s whereabouts remain unclear.

Community activist Jennie Spector, who accompanied the father and son, reported that Zheng managed to briefly connect with Yuanxin over the weekend. This marked their first conversation since their separation on Thanksgiving eve. However, Zheng expressed deep distress, remaining unaware of his son’s living conditions or exact location.

Government stance on family separation

In response to the situation, Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary for the Department of Homeland Security, stated in an email that ICE does not intentionally separate families. She explained that Zheng and his son are undocumented Chinese nationals who had received a lawful order of removal. The government claims that Zheng’s refusal to comply with this order during a previous flight to China placed his child in a precarious position, resulting in their separation.

McLaughlin emphasized that defying a deportation order constitutes a criminal act, which led to the child being placed under ORR custody. This perspective has raised concerns among advocates who argue that such policies disproportionately affect families and lead to unnecessary separations.

Community response and ongoing advocacy

The rally organized on Sunday attracted many supporters, including members of Yuanxin’s school community. They held signs with messages such as “Kids Aren’t Pawns” and “Kids Belong In School Not In Detention,” aiming to express their outrage and solidarity with the family. Devora Fein, a leader in the Indivisible group, stressed the importance of this gathering, stating, “We cannot pull children into this horrible game.”

Local representatives, including Democratic Reps. Nydia Velazquez and Grace Meng, along with City Council Member Julie Won, have been contacted by advocates seeking assistance in locating Yuanxin and advocating for his reunion with his father. They expressed their commitment to supporting the family during this challenging time and have been in communication with legal representatives to navigate the situation.

The emotional impact on the community

During the rally, one of Yuanxin’s teachers shared insights about the young boy, describing his talents and character. The teacher highlighted Yuanxin’s love for making puppets and his exceptional skills in math, along with his ability to make friends easily. This emotional testimony underscored the profound void his absence has left in the classroom, illustrating how deeply intertwined the community is with the family’s plight.

The broader context of child detention in the U.S.

The incident involving Zheng and Yuanxin reflects a larger issue regarding the detention of children who cross the U.S. border unaccompanied or with family. The surge in unaccompanied minors has overwhelmed existing systems designed to care for them, prompting debates about the legality and morality of detaining children.

Fei Zheng and his six-year-old son attended the ICE facility on November 26 for a standard immigration appointment. They waited outside the building with community volunteers, as regulations prohibited anyone from entering with them. Hours passed without any communication from Zheng, raising concerns about their situation.0

Fei Zheng and his six-year-old son attended the ICE facility on November 26 for a standard immigration appointment. They waited outside the building with community volunteers, as regulations prohibited anyone from entering with them. Hours passed without any communication from Zheng, raising concerns about their situation.1