In a significant shift in migration patterns, over 55,000 Chinese migrants have illegally crossed the U.S.-Mexico border in the past 18 months, a sharp increase from the 3,813 reported in 2022. This unprecedented influx has raised alarms among U.S. authorities about a potential larger wave, considering China's vast population and the challenges of deporting these migrants.
Many of these migrants have settled in California and New York, with Flushing, Queens becoming the primary destination, surpassing Los Angeles. This surge is largely attributed to China's economic downturn, COVID-19 restrictions, and human rights violations. "There was an economic downturn, COVID-19 restrictions and human rights violations. And then, with migration, once a few people go, it sort of opens the pathway for other people to go," said Idean Selehyan, a political scientist at the University of North Texas.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported encountering 37,439 Chinese migrants at the southern border last year, nearly ten times the number in 2022. The trend has continued into 2024, with a 52% increase in encounters during the first five months of the year. Immigration experts and aid workers in San Diego cite financial hardship from China's economic slowdown and political persecution as primary motives behind the influx.
The influx of Chinese migrants has become a political flashpoint in Washington. Republican leaders, including former President Donald Trump, have described the migrants as "fighting-age men," suggesting potential espionage activities. In contrast, Democrats, analysts, and the migrants themselves point to China's unemployment crisis and repressive government.
"The work she did in Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, is now paying dividends," said Mark Kelly, a U.S. Senator from Arizona. Kelly, a potential vice-presidential pick, emphasized the importance of addressing the root causes of migration and praised the efforts to stabilize Central America.
The journey for these migrants is perilous, involving travel across multiple countries and often relying on smuggling networks. Lei Muhan, a 10-year-old girl, and her parents crossed 11 nations to reach the United States. "I Am Happy," Muhan wrote repeatedly in her spiral notebook, eager to start school in their new home in California. Her father, Lei Xiaoyue, recounted the difficulties they faced, including treacherous motorcycle rides, paying smugglers, and trekking through deserts.
The Biden administration is urging other Western Hemisphere nations to tighten controls, hoping to manage the influx. In response to the surge, Ecuador reimposed visa restrictions on Chinese travelers in an attempt to stem the flow of migrants using the country as a springboard to the United States. Despite these measures, smugglers continue to adapt, offering alternative routes at higher prices.
The U.S. and China have discussed immigration enforcement, resulting in the deportation of a small number of Chinese migrants this year. However, the process remains challenging due to limited cooperation between the two countries. "The info is only as good as the info in the database, and there is limited to nothing on many of these Chinese nationals," said Chris Clem, former chief of the Border Patrol's Yuma Sector.
Chinese migrants, like Lei and his family, often cite a combination of economic and political reasons for their journey. The strict COVID-19 lockdowns in China were a significant turning point for many, leading to economic hardship and conflict with authorities. Lei described his family's struggle during the pandemic, including a 15-day detention for attempting to find food and medicine for his sick daughter.
Social media and the availability of smuggling networks have made it easier for people without significant resources to make the journey. PDF guides with step-by-step instructions for the trek from Ecuador to the U.S.-Mexico border circulate online, helping migrants navigate the dangerous route.
The high cost of living and long immigration case backlogs create financial pressures for migrants who manage to reach the United States. In New York, the established Chinese-speaking community in Flushing provides some support, but the competition for jobs in construction and food delivery is fierce. "There are a lot of people wondering now what their future will be, so they say 'Let's go zouxian,'" said New York-based immigration lawyer Wei Zhu.
The Washington Post and Latin Times contributed to this report.