China is reportedly preventing a U.S. Commerce Department employee from leaving the country, reigniting concerns over the communist regime’s use of “exit bans” against American citizens. The employee, described as a Chinese-American working in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, had traveled to China to visit family but is now barred from returning home—allegedly because he didn’t disclose who he worked for.

According to the Washington Post, four anonymous sources familiar with the case confirmed the detention, though the employee’s identity has not been made public. He is not in physical custody but is being closely monitored while Chinese authorities restrict his ability to exit the country. The employee is reportedly free to move around domestically and meet with consular officials, but cannot cross the border.

This incident is the latest example of China using opaque exit bans to target foreign nationals—especially those of Chinese heritage. These bans have become a flashpoint in U.S.-China relations and are increasingly being seen as a tool of geopolitical leverage. In the past, they’ve been used against American business executives, journalists, and even academics.

The State Department declined to confirm specifics of the case but stated, “We track these cases closely, and have raised our concerns with Chinese authorities about the well-being of our citizens and the impact these arbitrary exit bans have on our bilateral relations. We urge them to immediately allow impacted U.S. citizens to return home.”

This isn’t the first time American professionals have been caught in China’s web. Wells Fargo recently suspended all employee travel to China after one of its managing directors, Chenyue Mao—a U.S. citizen born in Shanghai—was subjected to an exit ban. That case prompted alarm among corporate and diplomatic officials alike, who worry that even low-profile Americans may be used as bargaining chips in ongoing disputes between the two governments.

The current case also comes amid renewed friction over trade, intellectual property theft, and military competition. Ironically, President Trump has taken a relatively tempered tone with Beijing during his second term, referring to Chinese President Xi Jinping as a “friend,” and characterizing their disputes as being handled “in a very friendly fashion.” But behind the scenes, his administration continues to push back against China’s expansionism and aggression, particularly on matters of surveillance, trade practices, and freedom of movement.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, where the detained man works, plays a crucial role in protecting intellectual property. That detail raises further suspicion that his targeting could be linked to broader concerns about China’s long history of stealing U.S. tech and trade secrets.

Exit bans are notoriously difficult to challenge, especially when Chinese authorities cloak them in bureaucratic ambiguity. In many cases, the individual may not even be told they are banned until they attempt to leave. The fact that an American government worker is now being blocked adds a new level of urgency—and risk—to travel in China.

The Biden administration had faced similar controversies, but the Trump White House is signaling that these actions will not be tolerated. Though China insists the bans are legal under its domestic laws, critics say they are used arbitrarily to exert political pressure and retaliate against foreign actions.

As this latest case unfolds, it’s becoming clear that American citizens—especially those with official government ties—are increasingly at risk when traveling to China. And while diplomatic efforts continue, there’s no guarantee this Commerce Department employee will be allowed to return home anytime soon.