Crime & Safety
Queens Woman Held By ICE After Spa Prostitution Charges, Police Say
An investigation determined she was in the country illegally, and immigration authorities later took her into custody.
QUEENS, NY — A routine arrest at a Long Island spa quickly escalated Friday when a Queens woman was taken into custody and later turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to the Nassau County Police Department.
Nassau County police said Ying Zhou, 49, was arrested and charged with unauthorized practice of a profession and prostitution after an investigation into an incident at H & Q Foot Care in Bethpage.
Zhou was released on an appearance ticket, but further investigation revealed she was in the U.S. illegally and subject to removal proceedings, Nassau County Police Department said.
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She is now in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.
Patch has reached out to the Department of Homeland Security for additional information on Zhou’s arrest.
Find out what's happening in Queensfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Zhou’s case comes amid a broader rise in immigration enforcement across New York City. In 2025, arrests and jail detainers reached their highest levels in at least three years, according to a recent Patch analysis of ICE data.
Federal officials have defended the agency’s actions, saying ICE is legally obligated to enforce immigration law and prioritize individuals considered threats to public safety.
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