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Zhongli Pang, a Chinese national, has been sentenced to federal prison for attempting to smuggle 12 Chinese nationals to the U.S. territory of Guam. Pang pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges and was sentenced to three months in federal prison with credit for time served and 50 hours of community service. The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced the arrest as part of Homeland Security Investigations’ efforts to deter the illegal movement of immigrants within the CNMI. Prosecutors stated that Pang attempted to exploit a loophole that allows Chinese visitors to travel to the Northern Mariana Islands without a visa, but a U.S. visa is required for entry into Guam. In June 2024, Pang and his co-conspirators purchased a boat for $33,000 and plotted to ferry the Chinese nationals from Saipan to Guam. However, due to Pang’s limited boating experience, the overcrowded vessel ran out of fuel and required rescue by the U.S. Coast Guard.
The case highlights the ongoing efforts of U.S. officials to crack down on the flow of illegal immigrants through U.S. territories like Guam. In response to the increase in illegal Chinese migrants taking advantage of visa waivers to sail to Guam, HSI announced the launch of a Mariana Islands Border Enforcement Security Task Force in 2023. The Mariana Islands and Guam are attractive entry points for criminals due to their proximity to Asia. U.S. Attorney Shawn Anderson emphasized the substantial risks to personal safety faced by those attempting to enter the U.S. illegally and urged PRC nationals to comply with the CNMI’s parole program and return to China as agreed upon entry to Saipan. Enhanced enforcement efforts by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are aimed at apprehending those attempting to evade detection and ensuring the safety of communities through continued partnerships with state and local authorities.
According to prosecutors, Pang attempted to exploit a little-known loophole that allows Chinese visitors to travel to the Northern Mariana Islands without a visa, but a U.S. visa is required for entry into Guam. The case underscores the vulnerability of U.S. territories like Guam to illegal Chinese migrants who take advantage of visa waivers to sail to Guam. In June 2024, Pang and his co-conspirators purchased a boat for $33,000 and plotted to ferry 12 Chinese nationals from Saipan to Guam. However, the overcrowded vessel ran out of fuel due to Pang’s limited boating experience, prompting a rescue by the U.S. Coast Guard. The Department of Justice (DOJ) did not immediately respond to inquiries from Fox News Digital regarding the case.
The sentencing of Zhongli Pang to federal prison for attempting to smuggle 12 Chinese nationals to Guam is part of the efforts by U.S. officials to crack down on the flow of illegal immigrants through U.S. territories. Pang pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges and was sentenced to three months in federal prison, with credit for time served and 50 hours of community service. The arrest of Pang is indicative of Homeland Security Investigations’ ongoing efforts to deter the illegal movement of immigrants within the CNMI. In response to the increase in illegal Chinese migrants exploiting visa waivers to sail to Guam, HSI launched a Mariana Islands Border Enforcement Security Task Force in 2023. The Mariana Islands and Guam are considered attractive entry points for criminals due to their proximity to Asia, prompting enhanced enforcement efforts by DHS to apprehend those attempting to evade detection.
U.S. Attorney Shawn Anderson emphasized the substantial risks to personal safety faced by those attempting to enter the U.S. illegally and urged PRC nationals to comply with the CNMI’s parole program and return to China as agreed upon entry to Saipan. The case underscores the importance of ensuring the safety of communities through continued partnerships with state and local authorities. The crackdown on illegal immigration through U.S. territories like Guam is a priority for U.S. officials, who are working to combat threats looking to enter the U.S. through the islands. HSI did not immediately respond to inquiries from Fox News Digital regarding the case, highlighting the ongoing efforts to target illegal aliens unlawfully traveling between the CNMI and Guam. The continued collaboration between federal agencies and local authorities is crucial in thwarting future violations and maintaining community safety.
