Convicted Chinese spy running New Jersey sushi shop detained by ICE

• U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested a convicted Chinese spy running a New Jersey sushi restaurant. Ming Xi Zhang, 61, pleaded guilty to federal charges in 2021, including acting as an unregistered agent of Beijing.
• Critics raised concerns about his ability to remain in the United States after his conviction and sentencing, pointing to potential national security threats.
• Despite his conviction and an upcoming immigration hearing, some supporters have gathered at his restaurant to express solidarity.

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U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested a Chinese national convicted of spying for Beijing in March. Ming Xi Zhang, 61, currently runs a sushi restaurant in Montgomery Township, New Jersey.

However, the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey sentenced Zhang, known as “Sushi John” locally, in 2024 for his conviction of acting as an unregistered agent of Beijing.

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What charges was Zhang found guilty of?

A federal court in New Jersey convicted Zhang in April 2024 for charges related to acting as a spy for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). However, critics argued he received a light sentence of three years probation.

In May 2021, Zhang pleaded guilty to having served as an unregistered agent of Beijing in 2016 without disclosing this information to the U.S. Attorney General.

TownHall questioned why the Biden administration allowed Zhang to stay in the country after his conviction, citing potential risks to national security.

What led to Zhang’s arrest?

According to ICE, Zhang legally migrated to the U.S. in 2000, but later “violated the terms of his lawful admission.”

In 2016, Zhang met with Beijing security officials in the Bahamas. Then, authorities said he delivered $35,000 to an unidentified person in New Jersey, according to The New York Post. Zhang also admitted to hosting a Chinese government agent at his home, twice, the report said.

“Any illegal alien conducting activities relating to espionage, sabotage or export control against the United States is subject to deportation,” ICE Newark Field Director John Tsoukaris said.

The latest reports on Zhang’s detention came Sunday, April 13, but agents arrested Zhang on March 24.

What is the latest update on Zhang’s status?

An employee of Zhang’s told the New York Post on Saturday, April 12, he’s remains in custody at the Elizabeth Detention Center as he waits for an immigration hearing.

According to one of Zhang’s employees, the 61-year-old remains in ICE custody at the Elizabeth Detention Center while waiting for an immigration hearing.

How has the community responded to Zhang’s arrest?

Despite Zhang’s previous conviction and arrest, the local community has reportedly come together to support him around his restaurant in recent days, the Post reported.

How does it fit into the bigger picture?

Zhang’s detention comes as the Trump administration enhances immigration enforcement in an effort for mass deportations of undocumented migrants.

On Thursday, April 10, the Supreme Court affirmed an order by a federal judge to bring a wrongfully deported Maryland man back to the U.S. The Trump administration failed to reach the judge’s deadline on Friday, April 12, to provide information on Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s status and a plan to bring him home. The Trump administration’s legal team argued the judge did not provide enough time for them to provide such information.

Additionally, in a separate case, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Columbia student Mahmoud Khalil, who the U.S. State Department accuses of playing a key role in pro-Palestinian protests in 2024, can be deported. However, the case still remains under review.

How has Zhang’s legal team responded?

Meanwhile, Zhang’s legal team has yet to respond to the latest news on his detention.