Three Chinese scholars have been charged with smuggling biological materials into the United States under the guise of academic research while employed at the University of Michigan, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. The alleged crime centers on the trio allegedly importing biological materials, including those related to roundworms, from China into the U.S. by falsifying information to U.S. customs officials, authorities said.
Attorney General Pam Bondi condemned the actions, stating that smuggling biological materials ‘under the guise of research’ endangers national and agricultural security. The suspects, Xu Bai, Fengfan Zhang, and Zhiyong Zhang, were all participants in J-1 visa academic exchange programs at the University of Michigan. Their alleged actions, which include receiving multiple shipments from a Chinese Ph.D. student, have sparked a broader concern within U.S. academic institutions about the potential manipulation of international research programs for improper purposes.
U.S. Attorney Jerome Gorgen noted that this case is part of a larger pattern of alleged misuse within U.S. academic programs involving international researchers. The case was aided by the collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies including the FBI, ICE, HSI, and CBP, which have expressed their commitment to safeguarding U.S. national security. CBP Director Marty C. Raybon highlighted that foreign actors continue to seek ways to exploit vulnerabilities within the U.S. educational system to further their interests.
Following an earlier conviction of a Chinese student, Chengxuan Han, for smuggling biological materials, the University of Michigan conducted an internal investigation. When the three scholars failed to cooperate, they were terminated, making them eligible for deportation. The suspects were detained at John F. Kennedy International Airport as they attempted to return to China. According to ICE Director Todd M. Lyons, this case underscores the need for universities to re-evaluate their admissions procedures to prevent the exploitation of foreign student programs, which could pose threats to national security.
FBI Director Kash Patel emphasized that illegal activities cannot be justified under the pretext of academic research. Jennifer Runyan of the FBI Detroit Field Office affirmed the agency’s stance against any attempt to exploit U.S. institutions for unlawful purposes, emphasizing their commitment to protecting the American public. The case, while specific to the University of Michigan, reflects broader concerns over the security of academic research and the integrity of international exchange programs in the U.S.