in World News ICE Arrests Convicted Chinese Spy in New Jersey
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has apprehended a Chinese national who was convicted of illegally operating as an agent of Communist China within the United States.
On March 24, ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) office in Newark arrested 61-year-old Ming Xi Zhang, a Chinese citizen who had been living in Montgomery Township, New Jersey.
Zhang, who reportedly operated under the nickname “Sushi John,” now remains in ICE custody as deportation proceedings move forward.
ICE officials say Zhang initially entered the U.S. lawfully in June 2000 through Los Angeles International Airport. However, his legal status was ultimately compromised after he violated the terms of his admission and was found guilty of serious federal offenses.
On April 30, 2024, the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey sentenced Zhang to three years of probation after convicting him of illegally acting as an agent of a foreign government—Communist China—without ever notifying the Attorney General as required under federal law.
The conviction confirms Zhang’s clandestine operations on behalf of the CCP, raising serious concerns about national security and foreign influence.
“Any illegal alien conducting activities related to espionage, sabotage or export control against the United States is subject to deportation,” said ICE Newark Field Office Director John Tsoukaris.