An alleged spy for the People’s Republic of China was taken into custody by ICE agents after a previous arrest for illegally acting as an accomplice of the Chinese government, with press reports confirming that he secretly met with representatives of the Chinese Ministry of State Security several times dating back to 2016.
For context, Zhang, the owner of Ya Ya Noodles in Montgomery Township, New Jersey, was captured by ICE in Newark on March 24 while still on probation for his last arrest. That arrest, which occurred in April 2024, led to a conviction by the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey pertaining to his clandestine meetings with Chinese representatives, which took place in the Bahamas.
Furthermore, according to The New York Post, Zhang originally entered the United States legally in 2000 but later got into legal trouble starting in 2016. Zhang reportedly pled guilty to charges related to his meetings with Chinese Ministry of State Security Representatives, affirming that he delivered $35,000 to an unnamed person in New Jersey and hosted a Chinese government agent at his home in 2016.
In addition, Zhang’s daughter, Emily Zhang, was open with the press about her concern and dismay over her father’s arrest, telling NJ.com that her father had been complying with the terms of his probation before ICE detained him. Ms. Zhang also provided background for the circumstances surrounding her father’s arrest, saying, “Authorities had asked him to check in, and he was arrested when he appeared.”
Continuing, Emily Zhang, who is reportedly a U.S. citizen, also told the press that many local people who frequented Zhang’s restaurant have reached out to support the family. Emily Zhang said, “People have been coming in, offering their phone numbers and asking how they can help.”
Following Zhang’s arrest, ICE officials made a statement that included a direct quote from ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Newark Field Office Director John Tsoukaris. Tsoukaris explained, “Any illegal alien conducting activities related to espionage, sabotage, or export control against the United States is subject to deportation.”
After the story of Zhang’s arrest broke, X user Byron Wan posted his take on X, which drew a slew of comments from frustrated conservatives, who praised ICE for their work. One user with the handle Toronto Baseball Dad wrote, “Allowing a convicted spy to roam free in your country is ridiculous,” and another commenter responded, “I am so happy to hear this, more to come.”
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In addition, according to a press release from ICE, Zhang’s arrest comes in the wake of another high-profile catch by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement personnel: the arrest and deportation of corrupt Mexican politician Tomas Jesus Yarrington Ruvalcaba, who was sent back to Mexico after being convicted of money laundering, accepting bribes, and anonymously purchasing properties and other assets in the United States.
Featured image credit: ICE.gov