ICE removes former UCF student after termination of student visa
JACKSONVILLE, Florida – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) removed a man to China May 8 and turned him over to proper authorities there after he was arrested during a joint investigation by ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) and the University of Central Florida Police Department (UCFPD) for being a security concern on campus.
Wenliang Sun, 26, a citizen and national of China, was arrested by HSI Feb. 7, 2018, after his nonimmigrant status was terminated. He had been enrolled as a nonimmigrant F-1 international student in an academic and cultural program at UCF that prepares international students for success at an American university.
“This removal is the final step in the process where local and federal law enforcement worked together to ensure this individual did not have the opportunity to commit an atrocity,” said Marc J. Moore, field office director for the Miami Field Office of ERO.
“The ‘See Something, Say Something’ message worked on every level,” said UCF Police Chief Richard Beary. “People noticed a distressing change in this young man, and they alerted UCFPD. Our detectives investigated and elevated their concerns to our federal partners, who took swift and appropriate action. Safety is truly a team effort, and it is through vigilance and partnership that we create a more secure community for each other.”
“This is a case where successful communication at every level of law enforcement may have prevented another school tragedy,” said HSI Tampa Special Agent in Charge James C. Spero.
Sun’s nonimmigrant status was terminated after he purchased high-powered firearms for noncompliance with regulations unrelated to the firearms purchase. As an F-1 international student, he was required to attend classes, which he did not.
“Law enforcement and the concerned community in this case, showed that the campaign for ‘See Something, Say Something’ is much more than just words,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Daryl McCrary. “With partnerships between the community and law enforcement, sharing a common concern for the communities we live in, we can reduce violent crime, mitigate dangerous situations, and save lives.”
On March 21, an immigration judge ordered Sun be sent back to China because he did not comply with the terms of his nonimmigrant status. Sun is not allowed to return to the country for at least 10 years, part of the terms of this order.
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