Federal agents arrested three Chinese research scholars tied to the University of Michigan after they allegedly attempted to flee the United States while under investigation for smuggling biological materials into the country.
Charged are Xu Bai (28), Fengfan Zhang (27), and Zhiyong Zhang (30), all research scholars from China on J-1 exchange visas who worked inside the Shawn Xu laboratory at the University of Michigan. Prosecutors say the men conspired to secretly import biological samples from China, continuing a pattern of foreign-linked research activity under scrutiny at the university.
According to federal investigators, Bai and F. Zhang received multiple concealed shipments between 2024 and 2025 from Wuhan, China, sent by Chengxuan Han, a Ph.D. student at Huazhong University of Science and Technology. The materials contained biological samples of roundworms used for research. Han was previously convicted of smuggling and deported earlier this year.
When the University of Michigan launched an internal investigation into the Xu lab, all three men refused to cooperate, skipped mandatory meetings, and were terminated making them eligible for removal by Homeland Security.
But before federal agents could locate them, the trio made a run for it.
Records show the defendants purchased one-way airline tickets from Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW) to China for October 20, 2025, then rebooked those flights for October 15 as agents began searching for them. That same day, they bought new tickets to depart from New York’s JFK Airport for a 2:00 a.m. flight on October 16.
When they failed to appear for their Detroit flights, investigators realized they’d likely traveled east to escape. Federal officers intercepted the three men at JFK Airport, where they were taken into custody during inspection. Z. Zhang lied to CBP officers about his relationship to Han, while Bai and F. Zhang admitted receiving packages even after Han’s arrest and removal from the U.S.
“At some point, pattern becomes practice. And, apparently, these three men are part of a long and alarming pattern of criminal activities committed by Chinese Nationals under the cover of the University of Michigan. This is a threat to our collective security. We are thankful for the vigilance of our elite federal partners—ICE HSI, FBI, and CBP—as a counterweight against this threat,” said United States Attorney Gorgon.
“This case underscores the vital importance of safeguarding the American people and addressing vulnerabilities within foreign student and exchange visitor programs,” stated acting ICE Director Todd M. Lyons. “Educational institutions must enhance their admissions procedures to prevent exploitation, which can pose risks to national security, as demonstrated in this instance. I commend the ICE HSI agents and officers who work tirelessly to protect our nation and uphold the rule of law every day.”
The investigation was led by ICE Homeland Security Investigations, the FBI Detroit Field Office, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, with assistance from ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Detroit.
A criminal complaint is a formal charge, not evidence of guilt. All three men are presumed innocent until proven guilty in federal court.
Discuss This On Our Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/14MgHGWRd3j/
