In a notable achievement for national security, ICE apprehended Chinese national Ming Xi Zhang in Newark, NJ, for unlawfully functioning as a foreign agent. Zhang, who entered the United States illegally in 2000, was found guilty in 2024 and received a sentence of three years probation for his offenses, which some critics deemed insufficient for such a grave crime.
For context, ICE’s robust action, spearheaded by Newark Field Office Director John Tsoukaris, corresponds with Trump’s remarks regarding the link between illegal immigration and offenses like espionage or sabotage. This incident is in line with recent alerts from the DHS concerning China’s espionage activities, which utilize internet-connected cameras and various other devices.
In discussing the case, Tsoukaris stated that Zhang “violated the terms of his lawful admission,” and emphasized that “any illegal alien engaging in activities related to espionage, sabotage, or export control against the United States is liable for deportation.”
In response to the case on social media, a notable conservative remarked, “Ming Xi Zhang, referred to as ‘Sushi John,’ the proprietor of Ya Ya Noodles in Montgomery Township, NJ, was detained by ICE in Newark on March 24. Zhang was convicted in April 2024 for acting as an unregistered agent of the [Chinese] government and was sentenced to three years’ probation.”
Providing additional information, the user noted, “In May 2021, he admitted to having acted as an agent of China in 2016 without informing the US Attorney General. Zhang legally entered the US in 2000 but subsequently ‘violated the terms of his lawful admission.’”
To conclude the post, the conservative remarked, “Zhang met with [Chinese] security officials in the Bahamas in 2016 and transferred $35,000 to an unidentified individual in New Jersey. He also confessed to having hosted a 🇨🇳 government agent at his Princeton residence on two occasions that fall. He is currently being held at the Elizabeth Detention Center pending immigration proceedings.
In the comments section of the post dated April 12, conservatives voiced their frustration regarding the extended period during which this spy was permitted to operate prior to his capture. One comment stated, “This illustrates the extent to which the North American diaspora has been infiltrated by #CCPChina’s influence operations. Incidents like this create a target on the backs of all individuals within the diaspora, especially in a time when competition among Great Powers has intensified. Unfortunately, the Chinese American community remains unaware of this threat.”
Providing a serious caution regarding the risks associated with Chinese cameras, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) remarked, “A cyber actor could exploit cameras installed on IT networks to gain initial access and subsequently pivot to other devices to extract sensitive process data that could be utilized for attack planning or disrupting business operations. Additionally, a cyber actor might manipulate cameras integrated into safety systems to silence alarms, trigger false alarms, or disable fail-safe mechanisms.”
Expanding on this issue, the DHS further clarified, “Wider distribution of tools aimed at identifying PRC cameras, especially those that are white-labeled, could enhance the enforcement of the 2022 Federal Communication Commission (FCC) prohibition on the importation of these cameras and assist in reducing the risk of PRC cyber actors taking advantage of them for harmful objectives.
