Qingfang Pang, a 21-year-old forward for Mississippi Valley State’s men’s basketball team, was released on bond Tuesday afternoon after spending several weeks in ICE custody. Pang had been detained since his arrest on September 29 at Jackson, Mississippi airport while attempting to board a flight to New York.
Pang came to the United States from China three years ago and transferred to Mississippi Valley State this year following his time at Monroe University. His F-1 student visa expired last month, a fact discovered by university officials who then told him he had to leave campus. Pang was on his way to his guardian’s home in New York when immigration officials arrested him.
His attorney, Marcus Session, described the situation as a “procedural mistake.” Session said Pang was unaware he had failed to file the correct paperwork to renew his visa. He added that while detained in Louisiana, Pang was “coerced” into signing a voluntary departure document by ICE officials. Because of Pang’s limited English skills, he did not understand what he was signing. The document has since been rescinded, and Pang intends to remain in Mississippi.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security confirmed Pang’s visa had expired, stating he “legally entered the U.S. on November 17, 2023 on a temporary basis not to exceed September 5, 2024, but illegally overstayed.” DHS emphasized that all his claims will be heard by an immigration judge and that he will receive due process.
Standing 6-foot-9, Pang played high school basketball in New York before moving into college basketball. After his arrest and subsequent detention in Louisiana, he remained confined until Tuesday’s bond release.
Session said the ordeal has tested Pang’s resilience. “He’s a strong kid, but even a strong kid would have his emotions and faith tested,” he told ESPN.
Pang’s case is the second involving a college basketball player detained by ICE in recent weeks. Aminata Seck from the Kentucky State women’s basketball team was detained in August and released on bond on October 7. Seck is originally from Senegal.
Pang is scheduled to appear in court again on October 27 as his immigration status continues to be addressed by the legal system. Meanwhile, Mississippi Valley State officials remain involved in the situation after initially identifying the visa issue.
According to Yahoo Sports.