Hearing Set for Owego Restaurant Owner Held by ICE

The longtime operator of a popular Tioga County Chinese restaurant has been held by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for more than five months.

50-year-old Roger Huang was detained on June 16 prior to a scheduled meeting in Buffalo about his immigration status.

Huang had operated Kam Fung restaurant in Owego for decades. Huang's supporters say he came to the United States to escape persecution in his home country.

Huang, who is also known as Kong Xiong Wang, is being held at an ICE detention facility in Batavia.

People familiar with Huang's case say a hearing in federal court is expected to be held soon, perhaps sometime this week.

In recent months, area residents have been sending cards to offer encouragement to Huang while he remains in detention. A sign posted at an Owego church at a Thanksgiving week service indicated Huang has appreciated the cards he's received.

According to the message on the sign, "Lifting him up with more cards during the holidays will mean the world to him!"

An online fundraising campaign was started in July. That effort has raised nearly $32,000 to help support Huang and his family.

Huang has been allowed to have some visitors at the Batavia detention center. A person who recently spoke with him said "he's holding up pretty well."

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or call (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.