Lawmakers Demand Answers on Rising Number of Chinese Migrants at U.S. Border.
The number of Chinese migrants arrested at the U.S.-Mexico border has surged in the past two years, sparking concerns from lawmakers. The Republican-led House Homeland Security Committee claims that border policies under the current administration are too lenient.
According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data, from 2007 through August 2024, the number of Chinese migrants apprehended was relatively low until 2023, when the figure surpassed 24,000. In 2024, the number reached 36,500.
Experts attribute the rise to the lifting of strict COVID-19 measures in China and the country’s struggling economy. However, Republicans insist that the Biden administration’s border policies are contributing to the influx.
Chinese Migration Trends
House Homeland Security Committee Chair Mark Green, a Republican from Tennessee, stated that the Biden-Harris administration’s “mass catch-and-release” policy is responsible for the surge in illegal crossings. According to Green, most Chinese nationals are seeking work or better living conditions, which are not valid grounds for asylum.
He also emphasized that the Chinese Communist Party has shown intent to undermine U.S. security. Green criticized the current administration for its handling of the situation, suggesting it has left the country vulnerable.
Former President Donald Trump has previously suggested that China may be trying to build an army in the U.S., while some GOP members have labeled incoming migrants as criminals, traffickers, and even spies.
Drivers of Chinese Migration
Min Zhou, director of UCLA’s Asia Pacific Center, said several factors contribute to the increase in Chinese migration. Zhou explained that the sudden end to China’s strict zero-COVID policy in December 2022, combined with high unemployment and a struggling economy, has pushed people to leave. Zhou also mentioned that social media platforms like WeChat have spread information—both real and fake—about migration opportunities, further fueling the trend.
Political Divisions on Border Policies
The issue of immigration is a key point of contention between political parties. Republicans, including Representative Nick LaLota of New York, argue that the Biden administration’s inaction has worsened the border crisis. LaLota pointed to several bipartisan bills passed in the House aimed at securing the border, urging the Senate to take action.
On the other hand, Democrats have criticized former President Trump for his role in blocking a bipartisan border security bill that would have strengthened the U.S. immigration system by increasing the number of CBP and asylum officers.
Immigration and National Security
Immigration has become a major issue in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election. A recent poll found that 47% of respondents trusted Trump on immigration issues, compared to 36% who supported Vice President Kamala Harris.
Republican lawmakers have raised concerns about China and other countries refusing to take back deportees. In a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, GOP representatives expressed concerns about national security. The letter highlighted that over 31,000 Chinese nationals had crossed the border illegally since October 2023.
Amnesty and Deportation
Amnesty International has also raised concerns about deportation policies, specifically the resumption of deportation flights to China. The organization noted that CBP does not track ethnicity, meaning it is unclear whether vulnerable groups, such as Hongkongers or Uyghurs, are being sent back to China.
Carolyn Nash, Asia Advocacy Director at Amnesty International USA, pointed to China’s repressive policies as a major driver of migration. She said that many people are fleeing due to the lack of freedom of expression, political repression, and the economic hardships caused by China’s zero-COVID policies.
Asylum Claims and Border Crossings
While there has been a spike in encounters with Chinese nationals at the U.S. border, this increase coincides with a general rise in border crossings. Many Chinese migrants are claiming asylum, citing fear of the Chinese government under President Xi Jinping and economic instability. Legal pathways for visas have also become less certain in recent years.
Currently, around 70% of Chinese asylum cases are approved, but thousands remain in a backlog, waiting alongside migrants from various countries around the world.
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