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Saipan – SHAWN N. ANDERSON, United States Attorney for the Districts of Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands, announced that ZHANG Aimin, age 55, a citizen of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), was sentenced on August 7, 2025, in the District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands to eight months imprisonment for Preventing or Hampering Removal, in violation of 8 U.S.C. § 1253(a). The Court also ordered one year of supervised release, 50 hours of community service, and a $100 special assessment fee. Zhang must report to immigration officials for deportation proceedings upon release from prison. Zhang’s conviction was also a violation of his supervised release for a prior conviction for Conspiracy to Transport Illegal Aliens and Conspiracy to Defraud the United States. Zhang was therefore sentenced to an additional 6 months, to run consecutive to his term of imprisonment for Preventing or Hampering Removal.
On April 30, 2025, during the immigration removal process at Saipan International Airport, Zhang refused to exit a vehicle operated by United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Removal Operations. Zhang’s departing flight was awaiting his boarding. He eventually agreed to exit the car but then became physically uncooperative with the immigration officer. Zhang grabbed onto a nearby light pole and attempted to insert his hand into an uncapped electrical port, posing a serious safety hazard. Once officers succeeded in removing Zhang from the light pole, he immediately grabbed onto a nearby signpost and refused multiple lawful commands to release his grip. Furthermore, as officers attempted to remove him, one officer’s arm was briefly pinned between the post and Zhang’s body. The officer was able to free his arm without serious injury. Zhang was then placed in handcuffs and transported back to the CNMI Department of Corrections.
“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.”
This case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations.
Assistant United States Attorney Garth Backe prosecuted the case in the District of the Northern Mariana Islands. (PRESS RELEASE)
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