In yet another chilling reminder of the ongoing vulnerability of America’s academic and research institutions, three Chinese research scholars working at the University of Michigan have been charged in a federal criminal complaint with smuggling biological materials and lying to federal agents — the latest incident in what authorities are calling a “long and alarming pattern” of illicit activity tied to Chinese nationals operating under the cover of U.S. academic exchange programs.
The charges, announced by U.S. Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr. on Wednesday, name Xu Bai (28), Fengfan Zhang (27), and Zhiyong Zhang (30) — all in the United States on J-1 research visas. The three were conducting research in the Shawn Xu laboratory at UM when federal agents uncovered what appears to be an international smuggling operation involving concealed biological materials, specifically roundworm samples shipped from Wuhan’s Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST).
The shipments were allegedly coordinated by Chengxuan Han, a Ph.D. student at HUST who was also working in the Xu lab. Han was recently convicted on multiple counts of smuggling and making false statements and was removed from the United States following sentencing.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi did not mince words: “Allegedly attempting to smuggle biological materials under the guise of ‘research’ is a serious crime that threatens America’s national and agricultural security.”
The alleged scheme isn’t just about paperwork violations or improperly declared samples. It raises serious concerns about what the U.S. is increasingly confronting: the systemic exploitation of open research institutions by foreign actors — specifically the People’s Republic of China — to advance strategic agendas, sometimes in defiance of U.S. law.
What makes this case more troubling is the pattern. All three men refused to participate in the university’s internal investigation following Han’s arrest. They were terminated and made subject to removal by DHS, only to attempt a hasty and deceptive exit. First booking a flight from Detroit, then rebooking to leave from JFK Airport, all three men attempted to flee the country before being intercepted by federal authorities. One of the men, Zhiyong Zhang, reportedly made false statements to CBP during the attempted departure.
BREAKING: DOJ charges 3 more Chinese nationals at Univ. of Michigan for smuggling biological materials into the U.S.
“These men are part of a long and alarming pattern of criminal activities committed by Chinese Nationals under the cover of the University of Michigan,” said U.S.… pic.twitter.com/Oop9eJ2vjb
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) November 6, 2025
“This case underscores the vital importance of safeguarding the American people and addressing vulnerabilities within foreign student and exchange visitor programs,” said acting ICE Director Todd M. Lyons. “Educational institutions must enhance their admissions procedures to prevent exploitation.”
Indeed, this is no longer just a university compliance issue — it’s a national security one. FBI Director Kash Patel made it clear: “Academic research cannot excuse illegal activity.” His comments echoed a broader concern within the intelligence and law enforcement communities that U.S. campuses have become soft targets for foreign infiltration, particularly in sensitive fields of science and technology.
With increasing regularity, the FBI, ICE HSI, and CBP are finding themselves forced into action not against spies in trench coats, but against lab-coated “researchers” bringing in packages labeled for study that may contain threats to U.S. agriculture, biosecurity, or intellectual property.
According to the DOJ, the University of Michigan’s international research program is no stranger to scrutiny — this case is just the latest in a series of incidents involving PRC nationals linked to the institution.
And now, after years of warnings, federal officials are beginning to speak with one voice: this is not accidental. It’s systemic.
CBP’s Marty C. Raybon put it bluntly: “Foreign actors continue to seek ways to exploit vulnerabilities, including within our nation’s higher education system to advance their agendas.”
While the DOJ has not yet confirmed whether additional charges or investigations are forthcoming, it’s safe to say this won’t be the last case of its kind. The question now is whether American universities — and lawmakers — will finally recognize the scale of the threat and act accordingly.
