Ecuador has announced it will suspend visa-free entry for Chinese citizens beginning July 1, citing a notable rise in irregular migration as the reason for this decision.
In recent years, Ecuador has served as a crucial starting point for thousands of Chinese nationals embarking on a challenging journey through South America, Central America, and Mexico to reach the southern border of the United States.
Following Ecuador’s announcement, there has been significant discussion among Chinese immigrants already in the United States, many of whom entered via Ecuador. Wang Zhongwei, who arrived in the U.S. in May 2023 after undertaking this journey, highlighted the impact of Ecuador’s policy change, noting that more than 80% of Chinese migrants used Ecuador as a transit point.
According to data from U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, the number of monthly encounters with Chinese nationals at the southwestern border peaked at nearly 6,000 in December 2023 but has since declined to just over 3,600 in May.
In addition to Ecuador’s decision, recent actions by the U.S. government under President Joe Biden have included temporary restrictions on asylum eligibility at the U.S.-Mexico border. There are indications that both the U.S. and Chinese governments are exploring ways to cooperate on immigration issues.
In May, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed willingness to engage in dialogue and cooperation with the United States on immigration enforcement, including the repatriation of Chinese nationals without legal status in the U.S. Similarly, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas noted efforts to coordinate with Chinese authorities on the repatriation of such individuals.
There have been reports of Chinese nationals being deported from the U.S., with some instances reported in Los Angeles. Chinese authorities have also reportedly intensified efforts to combat illegal migration and strengthen border controls, though the authenticity of recent documents highlighting these efforts could not be independently verified.
Meanwhile, Mexico has bolstered its border security measures, resulting in increased interceptions of illegal migrants, including Chinese nationals attempting to cross into the U.S. southern border region. This has forced some migrants to consider alternative, more costly and time-consuming routes.
Despite these challenges, some Chinese migrants continue to explore new avenues to reach the U.S., such as traveling through Cuba or Bolivia, which have recently adjusted their visa policies for Chinese citizens.
However, the tightening of Ecuador’s visa policy is expected to reduce opportunities for Chinese migrants to reach and remain in the United States, signaling a more restrictive environment for those attempting the journey known as “walking the line.”
Li Xiaosan, who successfully made the journey to the U.S. in February 2023, acknowledged the dwindling options for future migrants, emphasizing the closing of doors and the increasing difficulty of successfully navigating the immigration process.
As Ecuador prepares to enforce its new visa requirement, the fate of those seeking to migrate to the U.S. remains uncertain, with the prospect of legal immigration channels narrowing and the risks associated with illegal crossings rising.
