Foreign Nationals Charged in Trump-Era Visa Crackdown for Scheme to Smuggle US Military Equipment into China

Two foreign nationals have been charged in a sweeping indictment that alleges a complex scheme to smuggle sensitive U.S. military equipment and technology, including advanced missiles, into China, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. The case has heightened concerns about national security and foreign espionage activities at a time of growing geopolitical tension.

The individuals named in the indictment are Cui Guanghai, 43, a Chinese national, and John Miller, 63, a British citizen who resides legally in the United States. Federal prosecutors allege that starting in November 2023, Cui and Miller conspired to obtain and illegally export a range of sensitive U.S. military technology—among them, air defense radar systems, drones, and cryptographic devices—by circumventing export restrictions established under the Arms Export Control Act. Investigators believe Cui operated under the direction of the Chinese government, heightening the gravity of the charges.

The court documents detail how the duo explored various methods to evade authorities, discussing techniques such as concealing cryptographic devices inside innocuous household items like blenders and motor starters. To further cover their tracks, they considered routing shipments through Hong Kong before final delivery to mainland China. Notably, Cui and Miller paid a $10,000 deposit as part of their efforts to secure restricted technology from individuals they thought were black market intermediaries—but who were in fact operating on behalf of the FBI.

Beyond the alleged smuggling activities, the indictment also accuses Cui and Miller of orchestrating a campaign of harassment and intimidation against a U.S. citizen outspoken about Chinese President Xi Jinping. The pair allegedly recruited individuals—again undercover FBI contacts—to surveil the target, install a GPS tracking device on the victim’s car, vandalize the vehicle, and destroy statues depicting President Xi and his wife. These acts, prosecutors say, amount to a concerted effort to silence dissent and suppress free speech on American soil.

"The defendants targeted a U.S. resident for exercising his constitutional right to free speech and conspired to traffic sensitive American military technology to the Chinese regime," said Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche in a statement. "This is a blatant assault on both our national security and our democratic values. This Justice Department will not tolerate foreign repression on U.S. soil, nor will we allow hostile nations to infiltrate or exploit our defense systems."

Cui and Miller were apprehended by Serbian law enforcement officers in April at the request of the United States and remain detained in Serbia as extradition proceedings are underway. If extradited and later convicted in an American court, the suspects face stiff penalties: up to five years in prison each for conspiracy and interstate stalking, up to 10 years for smuggling, and as much as 20 years for violating the Arms Export Control Act.

The developments come as the U.S. government intensifies scrutiny of foreign nationals, particularly those from China, seeking entry or residency through various visa programs. Recent policy changes include more rigorous background checks and revised criteria for visa applicants from China and Hong Kong, reflecting mounting concerns over espionage and technology theft.

As the diplomatic repercussions of the arrests remain to be seen, the case underscores the escalating challenges facing U.S. authorities in protecting sensitive military technology and defending democratic freedoms against foreign interference. Both the Chinese Embassy and U.K. officials acknowledged the situation, with British consular services reportedly providing assistance to Miller as legal proceedings continue abroad.