Chinese migrant and son, 6, separated after ICE detains father in NYC: reports

A Chinese migrant and his young son living in Queens were separated when Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents tried to deport the pair in New York City, according to reports.

Astoria resident Fei Zheng was taken into ICE custody at the end of an immigration hearing at 26 Federal Plaza in Lower Manhattan, and away from his 6-year-old boy, Yuanxin, on Nov. 26, community advocates told local outlets.

“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,” activist Jennie Spector told NY1, in reference to Zheng.

Zheng, who was reportedly seeking asylum, was being held at a detention center in Orange County in the Hudson Valley, while the exact location of his son was unknown.

Queens Councilwoman Julie Won told PIX 11 the child was safe and had legal representation.

Federal authorities argued Zheng only had himself to blame for being detained and separated from his son, saying he had “refused” to get on a plane to be deported with the boy.

Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary to the Department of Homeland Security, told outlets Zheng had a chance to leave the US with his son and “willfully chose not to comply.”

She alleged that 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,” she also claimed.

Spector, the local activist, said she had spoken with Zheng in person while he was being held behind bars.

“He was trying to put, I think, on a brave face, you know?” Spector told CBS 2.

“But he was tearful during times … that we met because he doesn’t know where his son is and they’re not telling him.”

The family’s situation has led to outcry by liberal lawmakers in the Big Apple, including Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani.

“Last week, ICE arrested and separated a father and son after a routine check-in. Six-year-old Yuanxin had just enrolled in the first grade at an elementary school in Astoria,” he said on X on Tuesday.

“Now he’s in custody, alone. ICE won’t say where. This cruelty serves no one. It must end.”

McLaughlin argued ICE does not separate families and like past administrations, “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,” according to CBS 2.

She added if a US citizen was pulled over by cops and didn’t obey orders, “the children would be placed in safe custody,” The City reported.

Federal officials did not immediately respond to an email from The Post seeking comment.