Chinese Basketball Player Detained by US Immigration Over Visa Issue, Faces Deportation
AM730 · 2 SOURCES1 day ago5 MIN
Summary
Chinese-American basketball player Qingfang Pang (龐清方), 21, has been detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) since September 29 while attempting to travel from Mississippi to New York. The detention stems from immigration document issues related to his transfer from Monroe University to NCAA Division I school Mississippi Valley State University, where he was set to begin his new season in November. Pang, who entered the U.S. legally in November 2023, is currently held at the Richwood Immigration Detention Center in Louisiana while his legal team seeks bail and fights to resolve his immigration status.
Key Points
- Qingfang Pang, a 21-year-old Chinese basketball player, was detained by ICE on September 29 while boarding a flight from Jackson, Mississippi to New York
- He entered the U.S. legally on November 17, 2023, with authorized stay until September 5, 2024, but remained in the country beyond that date
- Pang played two seasons at Monroe University in New York, appearing in 31 games with 27 starts in his second season, averaging 8.3 points per game
- He received an NCAA Division I scholarship from Mississippi Valley State University, with the new season scheduled to begin in November
- The core dispute centers on the SEVIS record transfer process; Monroe University states it only received the formal transfer application on October 7, well after Pang's detention
- Pang's attorneys argue he signed voluntary departure papers under ICE pressure and are seeking bail so he can present his case to an immigration judge
- Mississippi Valley State University issued a statement expressing deep concern and commitment to providing appropriate assistance
Why It Matters
The case highlights the precarious status of international student-athletes navigating the complex SEVIS transfer process between American universities, where administrative delays can trigger immediate immigration consequences . The outcome will likely affect how universities handle transfer paperwork for foreign students and whether Pang can continue his basketball career and education in the U.S.
The case highlights the precarious status of international student-athletes navigating the complex SEVIS transfer process between American universities, where administrative delays can trigger immediate immigration consequences . The outcome will likely affect how universities handle transfer paperwork for foreign students and whether Pang can continue his basketball career and education in the U.S.