NEWARK, N.J. — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has taken Ming Xi Zhang, a Chinese national, into custody after he was convicted in 2024 for illegally acting as an agent of a foreign government without notifying the U.S. Attorney General.
ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) officers apprehended Zhang on March 24 in Newark, New Jersey. He is currently being held in ICE custody pending further immigration proceedings.
Zhang originally entered the United States lawfully in June 2000 via Los Angeles International Airport, but later violated the terms of his admission, authorities said.
In April 2024, the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey sentenced Zhang to three years of probation after finding him guilty of acting as an unregistered foreign agent—an offense involving activities tied to foreign espionage or influence without required disclosure to U.S. authorities.
“Any illegal alien conducting activities related to espionage, sabotage or export control against the United States is subject to deportation,” said John Tsoukaris, ICE Newark Field Office Director.
ICE has not disclosed further details about Zhang’s intended activities or any foreign entities involved. The agency emphasized that it will continue to prioritize cases posing threats to national security and public safety.
