WASHINGTON, July 2 (Reuters) – The Department of Homeland Security announced on Tuesday that the United States conducted its first major charter flight deporting Chinese nationals who attempted to enter the country illegally over the weekend, marking the largest such operation since 2018.
The department did not disclose the exact number of individuals on the flight. DHS emphasized that the U.S. and China are actively collaborating to address illegal migration and combat human trafficking.
We remain committed to upholding our immigration laws and removing individuals who do not have a legal basis to stay in the United States,” said DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas in a statement. “It is crucial that people do not fall victim to the false promises of smugglers.”
Increased difficulties in obtaining U.S. visas, compounded by economic repercussions from China’s COVID-19 lockdowns, have contributed to a notable rise in Chinese nationals arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border. According to U.S. government data, nearly 56,000 Chinese migrants were encountered at both the Southwest border with Mexico and the northern border with Canada from the start of the fiscal year in 2024 through May. This figure surpasses the 52,700 encountered throughout the entire 2023 fiscal year, which concluded in October.
President Joe Biden, a Democrat seeking reelection in the November 5 election, has navigated a delicate balance on immigration policy, aiming to enhance border security while adopting a more compassionate approach toward undocumented immigrants in the United States. His Republican presidential rival, Donald Trump, has frequently criticized Biden’s handling of illegal immigration levels.