Suspected chinese spy arrested by ice in newark convicted in court

NEWARK, N.J. — A Chinese national convicted of acting as an unregistered agent of a foreign government was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on March 24 in Newark, officials confirmed Wednesday.

Ming Xi Zhang, who lawfully entered the U.S. in 2000, remains in ICE custody following his federal conviction in New Jersey for engaging in covert activities on behalf of a foreign power without notifying the U.S. Attorney General.

Key Points

ICE arrested Ming Xi Zhang in Newark on March 24
Zhang was convicted in 2024 for acting as an unregistered foreign agent
He entered the U.S. legally in 2000 but later violated visa terms

Zhang’s conviction came from the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, which sentenced him to three years of probation on April 30, 2024. He was found guilty of violating federal law by acting on behalf of a foreign government without required disclosure.

Though Zhang entered the U.S. through Los Angeles International Airport in June 2000, ICE officials said he later violated the terms of his lawful admission, rendering him subject to removal proceedings.

“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.

ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations is continuing to pursue Zhang’s case under federal immigration law.

A convicted foreign agent is now in ICE custody after covert operations on U.S. soil.

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