A family in Los Angeles is speaking out after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained Tea Wong, a local resident, in October. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) says Wong’s visa overstay occurred when he overstayed his F-1 student status, which created an immigration violation and caused him to miss a required court appearance.
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Wong’s wife describes the experience as overwhelming and frightening. She says he has lived in the United States since he was a baby and built his entire life in Los Angeles. She insists that her husband never intended to violate any laws and believes the entire issue began when they moved homes.
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Because of the move, she believes Wong never received the final immigration court notice sent over a year ago. She says this missing notice played a major role in the current situation involving the visa overstay.
She shared an emotional message, saying:
“We didn’t mean to do any wrongdoings, and we want to correct anything. We’re grateful we have a court hearing coming up. I hope he gets bonded because he has been in the U.S. since he was little. He’s on a lease, he has a job, he pays taxes. He’s not someone who disappears in thin air. He’s accounted for, and I hope that helps him get bond so we can be reunited soon.”
Her words reflect the fear many families feel when an immigration overstay turns into a serious legal problem.
DHS Responds, Citing Visa Overstay and Missed Court Appearance
The Department of Homeland Security released a new statement tonight, firmly explaining why Wong remains in ICE custody. The agency says he is originally from South Korea and is considered to be in the United States unlawfully because he overstayed his F-1 visa and later ignored a notice requiring him to appear before an immigration judge.
A portion of the DHS statement reads:
“Wong will remain in ICE custody pending immigration proceedings. Ignoring U.S. immigration law does not grant anyone the right to remain in the United States. Those who violate the law will ultimately have to answer to federal law enforcement.”
An F-1 student visa allows someone to stay in the U.S. while enrolled in an approved academic program. Once the program ends or the person stops attending school, the visa may expire. If the person remains in the country afterward, it becomes an overstay, which can trigger serious consequences.
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Officials also explained that anyone going through immigration procedures must update their address immediately. Missing mail—such as a court notice—does not erase responsibilities under the law. Authorities say this requirement exists to ensure that people with immigration cases do not accidentally or intentionally miss important updates.
Wong’s family and attorney plan to show at the upcoming hearing that he did not intentionally ignore the court notice and that the missed mail happened because of their move, not because he was trying to hide an overstay.
Community Reaction as Family Awaits Bond Decision
The case has drawn local attention because Wong has lived in Los Angeles nearly his whole life. Coworkers, neighbors, and friends say they felt surprised to learn that an old visa overstay could trigger such a sudden detention, especially for someone they describe as responsible and community-minded.
His wife says he pays taxes, holds a steady job, and follows the rules in every part of his life. She believes these facts show that he is not a flight risk and that authorities should release him on bond while the case continues. She added that many people do not realize how an immigration overstay can escalate quickly when someone loses paperwork or overlooks a notice.
Advocates familiar with immigration procedures say thousands of people face detention each year because of visa overstay issues, especially when they miss required court dates. Supporters of strict immigration law enforcement argue that officials must handle all violations — whether intentional or not — through proper legal channels.
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ICE says it will keep Wong in custody while immigration proceedings continue. His family waits anxiously for news about whether he will receive bond. They say all they want is the chance to handle the matter correctly and stay together as a family.
The situation continues to highlight how a single visa overstay, a missed court date, or an unreported address change can dramatically affect the lives of people who have lived in the United States for decades.