In a chilling reminder of the ongoing threat posed by foreign adversaries, a Chinese national, Zhang, was arrested by ICE agents on March 24, 2025, in Newark, New Jersey, for his role in espionage activities on U.S. soil. Zhang, the owner of Ya Ya Noodles in Montgomery Township, was apprehended while still on probation from his previous arrest in 2024, which involved secret meetings with high-level representatives from the Chinese Ministry of State Security.

The arrest marks a significant moment in the Trump Administration’s ongoing efforts to combat China’s covert actions against the United States. Zhang’s case highlights the growing concern over espionage and the Chinese Communist Party’s long-standing efforts to infiltrate American society for purposes of intelligence gathering, sabotage, and export control violations.

Zhang’s story dates back to 2016, when he was reportedly involved in multiple clandestine meetings with Chinese agents in the Bahamas, far from the prying eyes of U.S. authorities. These meetings centered around espionage activities aimed at undermining U.S. interests. As a part of his operation, Zhang admitted to transferring $35,000 to an unnamed individual in New Jersey, as well as hosting a Chinese government agent at his home. This behavior ultimately led to a conviction in 2024 for conspiring with the Chinese government, making him a clear national security risk.

Zhang entered the United States legally in 2000, but his ties to China grew increasingly suspect in the years that followed. After his arrest in 2024, he pled guilty to charges related to his espionage activities. Despite his legal troubles, authorities allowed him to remain free on probation, a decision that would come back to haunt the country just a year later when ICE agents apprehended him once again.

In an emotional response to her father’s arrest, Zhang’s daughter, Emily, expressed her disappointment, stating that her father had been following the terms of his probation. “Authorities had asked him to check in, and he was arrested when he appeared,” she said in an interview with NJ.com. Emily, who is reportedly a U.S. citizen, also highlighted the support the family has received from the local community, with many customers of her father’s restaurant offering assistance during this difficult time.

ICE officials were quick to respond to the incident, reaffirming their commitment to protecting U.S. national security. ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Newark Field Office Director, John Tsoukaris, made it clear that individuals involved in espionage or sabotage would not be tolerated. “Any illegal alien conducting activities related to espionage, sabotage, or export control against the United States is subject to deportation,” Tsoukaris stated, underscoring the seriousness of the case.

Conservatives across social media voiced their support for ICE’s decisive action. One X user, Byron Wan, celebrated the arrest, with many commenters applauding the work of U.S. immigration officials in securing American safety. “Allowing a convicted spy to roam free in your country is ridiculous,” wrote one user, while another added, “I am so happy to hear this, more to come.”

Zhang’s arrest is part of a broader crackdown by ICE, which recently deported corrupt Mexican politician Tomas Jesus Yarrington Ruvalcaba, a notorious figure involved in money laundering and bribery. Both cases serve as stark reminders of the U.S.’s vulnerability to foreign influence and the growing need for vigilance in safeguarding American interests from hostile foreign governments.

In the face of increasing Chinese espionage efforts, it’s clear that the Trump Administration is stepping up to protect the United States from any threat—foreign or domestic.