Chinese College Basketball Player Detained by ICE Sparks University Concern

Mississippi Valley State University is actively monitoring the situation of junior forward Qingfang Pang, who was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials on September 29 as he attempted to fly from Jackson, Mississippi, to New York City.

Pang, a 6-foot-9 Chinese national, was reportedly informed by the university that his student visa had recently expired. He was traveling to New York to meet with his visa sponsor when he was detained at the airport.

According to his attorney, Marcus Session, Pang recently learned that his student visa had expired and he was traveling to meet with his sponsor in New York. Session claims that ICE made Pang sign a voluntary departure document and is requesting bond for his release.

The university released a statement acknowledging awareness of the situation and expressing deep concern for Pang's well-being. "University officials are closely monitoring the situation and are committed to providing appropriate support as circumstances develop," the statement read.

Pang transferred to Mississippi Valley State, a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) that competes in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, this offseason. Prior to college, he played two seasons of JUCO ball at Monroe University in New York and attended high school in the New York metropolitan area.

A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security stated that Pang legally entered the country in November 2023 on temporary status, which concluded on September 5, 2024. "He accepted voluntary departure and will remain in ICE custody pending removal," the spokesperson told FOS.

Monroe University issued a statement clarifying that they had informed Pang they would transfer his immigration records to his new team after receiving a request from Mississippi Valley State. "We have stood ready to do so since last spring, but hadn't received any such formal request until yesterday," the Monroe spokesperson said. "Any suggestion that Monroe failed to fulfill its responsibilities is unfounded. We wish Mr. Pang a speedy resolution to this matter."

Pang's detention follows similar incidents involving other college basketball players. Aminata Seck, a women's basketball player at Kentucky State, was released on bond after two months in ICE custody. Deng Deng, a basketball player at Southern Connecticut State University, was also arrested by the agency in early September and has since been released.

Multiple members of Congress have agreed to inquire further about Pang's situation, including Mississippi's senior Senator, Roger Wicker.