The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has deported over 100 Chinese migrants as part of its efforts to curb irregular migration into the United States. On October 15, DHS confirmed the deportation of 131 Chinese nationals via a chartered flight, marking the second large-scale deportation to China this year.
The first major chartered deportation flight to China occurred in June, in coordination with China's National Immigration Administration. That flight, carrying 116 Chinese nationals, was the largest deportation since 2018. The recent flight, with 131 individuals, underscores the Biden administration's intention to enforce immigration laws more strictly and "reduce and deter irregular migration."
"Intending migrants should not believe the lies of smugglers; Chinese nationals without a legal basis to remain in the United States are subject to swift removal," said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas in a statement. "The Department of Homeland Security will continue to strengthen consequences for individuals unlawfully entering our country and enforce our nation's laws."
The charter flights are part of a broader crackdown on illegal immigration that has led to the removal of undocumented migrants from multiple countries, including China, Colombia, Peru, India, and Senegal. In Fiscal Year 2024 alone, DHS has conducted over 398 international repatriation flights to more than 140 countries, the most significant number since 2010.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has reported a dramatic increase in the number of Chinese migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border over the past two years. In 2023, the number of Chinese nationals crossing the southwest border reached 24,000, and it further increased to 36,500 by 2024. Many of these migrants have cited fears of persecution under Chinese President Xi Jinping's government and economic uncertainties as their reasons for seeking asylum.
Chinese citizens seeking refuge in the United States have described a worsening situation at home, driven by draconian COVID-19 restrictions and bleak economic prospects. These conditions have pushed many to make the dangerous journey to the U.S., despite the growing risks associated with irregular migration and the challenges posed by tightening immigration policies.
The House Homeland Security Committee has voiced concerns over the increasing number of Chinese migrants arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border. The committee's chair, Rep. Mark Green, a Tennessee Republican, criticized the Biden administration's immigration policy, calling it a "mass catch-and-release" that incentivizes illegal crossings. Green argued that stronger measures are needed to prevent such incidents and secure the nation's borders.
Carolyn Nash, Asia Advocacy Director at Amnesty International USA, also weighed in on the deportations, expressing concern over the resumption of deportation flights to China. "Amnesty is concerned with the resumption of deportation flights between the U.S. and China. People seek refuge when they are denied safety and freedom at home. China's government has made it unsafe to speak, to protest, or to ask for a living wage. The Chinese people are paying the price of these draconian policies," Nash told Newsweek.
Amnesty International has also reported incidents of anti-Chinese sentiment at the border, with Chinese nationals allegedly being yelled at, pushed, and cursed by officers. "Significant political and legislative action has encouraged this sentiment, including increased 'tough on China' rhetoric," Nash added, pointing to a climate of hostility that many Chinese nationals face during their encounters with immigration authorities.
The surge in the number of Chinese nationals crossing into the United States coincided with China's suspension of cooperation with U.S. deportation efforts in 2022. The move led to an influx of migrants entering the country through the U.S.-Mexico border. However, in 2023, China resumed cooperation with U.S. deportation initiatives, allowing for the repatriation of undocumented citizens. Since then, the number of border encounters has decreased significantly, with CBP reporting a 55% drop in such incidents since June.
President Biden has also taken executive action to temporarily suspend the entry of certain noncitizens across the southern border. This move, paired with increased deportation efforts, has sought to address the record-breaking surge in illegal crossings that has overwhelmed U.S. border infrastructure in recent years.
The Chinese government has publicly endorsed cooperation with U.S. authorities to address irregular migration. "In recent years, Chinese law enforcement departments have cracked down hard on crimes that harm the tranquility of the national border and maintained high pressure against all kinds of smuggling organizations and offenders," wrote the U.S. Embassy in China in a statement released in May. The embassy highlighted China's efforts to "jointly tackle cross-border smuggling activities, repatriate illegal immigrants, and maintain the order of international flow of people."
