The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced the arrest of the parents of two individuals indicted in an alleged attempted bombing at MacDill Air Force Base. DHS asserts that the parents are undocumented immigrants, and the siblings, who were born in the U.S., are "anchor babies," directly linking the case to concerns about birthright citizenship for children of illegal immigrants.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents took Qiu Qin Zou and Jia Zhang Zheng, the parents of Ann Mary Zheng and Alen Zheng, into custody on March 18. The siblings are accused of planting an improvised explosive device (IED) outside the MacDill Air Force Base visitor center on March 10. Alen Zheng allegedly planted the device, while Ann Mary Zheng is accused of aiding in the subsequent cover-up and escape.
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Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis of DHS stated, "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." DHS contends that the U.S.-born status of the suspects, whose parents are described as illegal aliens who entered the country from China, highlights perceived dangers associated with birthright citizenship policies.
The suspects, Ann Mary Zheng and Alen Zheng, were born in the United States. According to authorities, both siblings left the U.S. for China on March 12, shortly after the incident. Ann Mary Zheng returned to the U.S. on March 17 and was subsequently taken into custody. Information from a prosecutor suggests that Ann Mary Zheng may have used artificial intelligence, specifically 'ChatGPT', to assist her brother in fleeing the country. Reports indicate Alen Zheng may still be in China.
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The investigation into the IED incident at MacDill Air Force Base began on March 10, following the discovery of the device and a subsequent 911 call. The FBI has confirmed there are multiple suspects involved and that the investigation remains ongoing, with international elements complicating the case. The complexity of the investigation, including the international travel of the suspects and the alleged use of advanced technology in their escape, has been noted by officials.
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