A citizen of the People’s Republic of China, Zhang Aimin, was sentenced to 14 months in prison for preventing or hampering his removal from the United States. The sentencing took place on August 7, 2025, in the District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands. Zhang received eight months imprisonment for violating 8 U.S.C. § 1253(a), along with one year of supervised release, 50 hours of community service, and a $100 special assessment fee. Upon completion of his sentence, Zhang is required to report to immigration officials for deportation proceedings.
Zhang’s actions also violated his supervised release from a previous conviction involving conspiracy to transport illegal aliens and conspiracy to defraud the United States. As a result, he was given an additional six-month sentence to be served consecutively.
The incident occurred on April 30, 2025, at Saipan International Airport during the immigration removal process. According to court records, Zhang refused to exit a vehicle operated by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations while his departing flight was waiting. After initially agreeing to leave the car, he became physically uncooperative with officers. He grabbed onto a light pole and attempted to insert his hand into an uncapped electrical port, creating a safety risk. Officers removed him from the light pole, but he then held onto a signpost and did not comply with commands to let go. During this struggle, an officer’s arm was briefly pinned between Zhang and the post but was freed without serious injury. Zhang was subsequently handcuffed and returned to the CNMI Department of Corrections.
United States Attorney Shawn N. Anderson commented on the case: “The enforcement of immigration laws is our highest priority,” stated United States Attorney Anderson. “Zhang showed no respect for the law or the officers working to uphold it. This case demonstrates the federal government’s ongoing commitment to removing illegal aliens from our country.”
The investigation was conducted by U.S. Immigration Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations division. Assistant United States Attorney Garth Backe prosecuted the case in the District of the Northern Mariana Islands.
