Federal authorities have filed charges against two siblings in connection with a plot to detonate an explosive device at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida. Ann Mary Zheng and Alen Zheng are the children of Chinese nationals who entered the country illegally decades ago.
The Department of Justice alleges Alen Zheng placed the functional explosive device at the base’s Visitor’s Center on March 10. Following the incident, he reportedly fled the United States and is currently believed to be in China.
Ann Mary Zheng was arrested by federal agents upon her return to the U.S. from China through Detroit. She faces charges of being an accessory after the fact and evidence tampering for allegedly assisting her brother’s escape and hindering the investigation.
The suspects’ parents, Qiu Qin Zou and Jia Zhang Zheng, were taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement on March 18. Records indicate they were ordered deported in 1998 but remained in the country, where their children were born and granted citizenship.
Department of Homeland Security officials stated the case highlights significant national security vulnerabilities regarding birthright citizenship. They noted the siblings gained citizenship despite their parents' illegal status and prior deportation orders.
President Donald Trump was briefed on the investigation this morning at the White House. The President has frequently cited this case while advocating for stricter border controls and the reevaluation of the 14th Amendment.
The incident comes as the Supreme Court considers the legal scope of birthright citizenship. The administration is currently defending executive actions aimed at restricting citizenship for children born to non-citizens.
Federal prosecutors stated the recovered device was functional and capable of causing significant damage to facility personnel. If convicted, Alen Zheng faces up to 40 years in prison, while his sister faces a maximum of 30 years.
MacDill Air Force Base is a high-security installation housing both U.S. Central Command and U.S. Special Operations Command. Security protocols have been heightened at military sites nationwide following the discovery of the device.
Lawmakers have called for a full inquiry into how the suspects were able to target such a sensitive facility. The FBI continues to investigate whether the suspects were acting independently or under the direction of a foreign entity.