ICE removes Chinese national convicted of photographing military installations
PHILADELPHIA — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Philadelphia removed Fengyun Shi, a citizen of China with a final order of removal, to China on May 7. ICE’s Office of the Principal Legal Advisor designated Shi as a national security risk based on his conviction for use of an aircraft for the unlawful photographing of designated military installations.
"The removal of Fengyun Shi reflects ICE’s steadfast dedication to protecting the American people and upholding national security. His unlawful actions posed a significant risk to sensitive military installations, and his removal ensures that he is no longer a threat to the nation,” said acting ERO Philadelphia Field Office Director Brian McShane. “ICE will continue to enforce immigration laws with the highest priority placed on safeguarding the United States and its citizens."
On Aug. 11, 2021, U.S. Customs and Border Protection admitted Shi to the United States at the San Francisco International Airport in San Francisco, California, as an F-1 nonimmigrant for the duration of his status as an agricultural engineering graduate student at the University of Minnesota.
The FBI arrested Shi in San Francisco on Jan. 18, 2024, for prohibited operation of an unmanned aircraft system, violation of national defense airspace, and photography of defense installations after an investigation revealed Shi utilized a commercial drone to take photographs of U.S. naval bases in the Norfolk, Virginia, area.
The U.S. Department of State terminated Shi’s F-1 nonimmigrant visa due to his pending criminal charges on Jan. 25, 2024, and on Feb. 7, 2024, the University of Minnesota terminated him from the Student and Exchange Visitor Program.
The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia’s Newport News Division convicted Shi for use of an aircraft for the unlawful photographing of designated installation without authorization on Oct. 2, 2024. He was sentenced to six months of incarceration and one year of supervised release.
ERO Philadelphia encountered Shi at Federal Correctional Institution Allenwood in White Deer, Pennsylvania, and lodged an immigration detainer against him on Nov. 13, 2024.
On March 7, ERO Philadelphia arrested Shi upon his release from FCI-ALS and detained him at the Clinton County Correctional Facility in McElhatten, Pennsylvania. On the same date, ERO Philadelphia served him with a notice to appear charging removability pursuant to Section 237 of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
On March 24, an immigration judge in Elizabeth, New Jersey, ordered Shi removed from the United States to China.
Members of the public with information can report crimes or suspicious activity by dialing the ICE Tip Line at 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or by completing ICE’s online tip form.
Learn more about ICE Philadelphia’s mission to increase public safety in our Pennsylvania, Delaware and West Virginia communities on X at @EROPhiladelphia.
Source: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE.gov)
