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DHS Reveals Suspects Connected to Explosive Device at MacDill Air Force Base Are Children of Illegal Aliens

Release Date: April 3, 2026
Case highlights grave danger of granting birthright citizenship to children of illegal aliens

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested the illegal alien parents of Ann Mary Zheng and Alen Zheng – two siblings who are connected to the attempted attack on March 10 on the MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida.

According to the Department of Justice, Ann Mary Zheng was charged “with assisting after the fact related to her brother, Alen Zheng, placing an improvised explosive device at the MacDill Air Force Base Visitor’s Center in Tampa and evidence tampering.” The DOJ added that “Ann Mary Zheng, knowing that her brother, Alen Zheng, had attempted to damage government property by fire or explosion, assisted him in order to hinder and prevent his apprehension, trial, and punishment.”

The alleged perpetrators of this attack on a U.S. Air Force base were born in the U.S. after their parents illegally entered the country. The attempted attack illustrates why the improper recognition of “birthright citizenship” for children of illegal aliens is not only inconsistent with the Constitution, but endangers all Americans.

“Automatically granting citizenship to children of illegal aliens born in the U.S. is based on a historically inaccurate interpretation of the Citizenship Clause and poses a major national security risk. That reality became apparent last week when two U.S.-born children of Chinese illegal aliens were indicted for planting a potentially deadly explosive device outside MacDill Air Force Base in Florida,” said Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis **.* “This incident underscores the severe national security threat that illegal immigration and birth right citizenship pose to the United States.”*

Ann Mary Zheng was arrested by federal authorities upon her return from China. Authorities believe her brother Alen Zheng is still in China.

Ann Mary Zheng

In wake of the investigation, on March 18, ICE apprehended both parents, who remain in ICE custody. The parents, Qiu Qin Zou and Jia Zhang Zheng, illegally entered the U.S. at an unknown place.

Qiu Qin Zou

In 1993, they both applied for asylum, but an immigration judge denied those claims and ordered both Zheng and Zou removed from the U.S. in 1998. The Bureau of Immigration Appeals denied multiple attempts by the pair to have their case reopened, but they illegally remained in the U.S. for decades despite being ordered removed almost 30 years ago.

Jia Zhang Zheng

On day one in office, President Donald J. Trump issued an executive order, titled, “Protecting the Meaning and Value of Citizenship.” President Trump added, “The privilege of United States citizenship is a priceless and profound gift.” And yet, that sacred honor has been abused because previous—and incorrect—interpretation of the law has allowed birthright citizenship—meant for children of slaves after the Civil War—to be granted to any child of an illegal alien. That executive order is now being challenged in the Supreme Court.

Under President Trump and DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, DHS will continue to ensure that our entire immigration system—legal and illegal—puts the American people first.

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  Last Updated: 04/03/2026 Was this page helpful? Yes No This page was not helpful because the content has too little information has too much information is confusing is out-of-date
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