Youhuang Xiang, also known as Yohan, was a postdoctoral research associate at Indiana University in Bloomington who arrived in the U.S. in 2023 on a J-1 student visa. Upon returning from a trip at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport in November 2025, Xiang admitted to U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials that he had violated federal law by importing biological material in the form of plasmid DNA of E. coli bacteria. His student visa was immediately terminated.
Judge Sweeney found that Xiang "is subject to removal from the United States" under multiple immigration statutes after being convicted of smuggling in violation of federal law. The court noted that Xiang was convicted of "a crime involving moral turpitude within five years after the date of his admission to the United States" and that he "lacks any valid authorization to enter the United States" after his visa cancellation.
Xiang was sentenced to time served, a $500 fine, and one year of supervised release after pleading guilty to one count of smuggling under 18 U.S.C. ยง 545. The maximum penalty for the offense is 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. As part of his plea agreement, Xiang agreed to the judicial removal order and waived his rights to challenge deportation.
The removal order takes effect upon completion of Xiang's incarceration, sending him back to China. The case highlights ongoing concerns about foreign researchers and potential violations of biosecurity laws, particularly involving individuals from countries of strategic concern to U.S. national security agencies.