China sleeper cell fears in U.S.

Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) recently alleged that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has established "sleeper cells" in the U.S., citing Chinese nationals crossing the southern border. While the term "sleeper cell" evokes images of spies and terrorists from popular culture, the reality is more complex.

Stefanik's Claim: https://twitter.com/RepStefanik/status/1769438763262808144?s=20

No Clear Definition: There is no official definition from intelligence sources, but the International Spy Museum describes a "sleeper agent" as an "agent living as an ordinary citizen, acting only when a hostile situation develops."

Expert Perspective: Terrorism experts say the CCP's activities don't fit the Hollywood version of sleeper cells. However, a broader interpretation may include a recent case of Chinese nationals charged with operating an "illegal overseas police station" in Manhattan, targeting Chinese dissidents.

Case Details: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/two-arrested-operating-illegal-overseas-police-station-chinese-government

Overseas Police Stations: Since 2022, reports have exposed the existence of secret Chinese police stations worldwide, including seven in the U.S. In April 2023, two Chinese nationals were arrested in New York for operating an unofficial police station, conspiring, and obstructing justice.

Expert Analysis: Terrorism expert Daveed Gartenstein-Ross considers this a "sleeper cell," as it involved undercover activities, clandestine operations, and multiple agents.

Popular Culture vs. Reality: Sleeper cells in popular culture often involve terrorismo and targeting native-born citizens, differing from the Chinese "police stations" case. Experts argue that Stefanik's claim plays into the "red scare" trope, and China is more likely to employ cyberattacks than terrorist campaigns.

Expert Quotes:

"Stefanik is basically replicating old-school ‘red scare’ stuff, trying to provoke anti-China sentiment." - James J.F. Forest, University of Massachusetts-Lowell

"They can find out everything they want to know without doing what sleeper cells used to do [due to the age of computers and the large Chinese student/scholar population in the U.S.]." - Suzanne Ogden, Northwestern University