Velazquez Applauds Changes to Espionage Rules

Washington, DC – Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) today applauded new Department of Justice rules providing greater oversight on investigations related to national security. The new rules come after several high profile cases in which Chinese American scientists were wrongfully accused of espionage. Those charges were subsequently dropped. In November, Velázquez wrote the Department of Justice raising concerns that Asian Americans were being unfairly targeted for investigation.

“These recent cases suggest a troubling pattern of individuals being targeted for investigation and prosecution based on race or ethnicity,” Velázquez noted. “Adding greater oversight to this process will help prevent profiling, protect the rights of Americans and prevent wrongful accusations.”

Since December of 2014, federal prosecutors have accused four Chinese American scientists of providing sensitive information to the Chinese government or Chinese companies and then dropped the charges. The new Department of Justice rule will mean prosecutors in Washington will be more involved in national security cases, providing more scrutiny in such cases.

“While the charges against these scientists may have been dropped, their reputations suffered and they were forced to endure an unfair and unnecessary investigation,” Velázquez added. “It is my hope these new rules help prevent future mistakes and hold to account prosecutors who would otherwise play fast and loose with the facts.”

Velázquez’s Congressional district includes Manhattan’s Chinatown and Sunset Park.

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