In the first two days of May, U.S. Border Patrol apprehended more Chinese nationals attempting to cross the southern border illegally than in the entire fiscal year of 2021. This alarming trend, which continues to escalate, has drawn significant concerns about national security and the Biden administration’s handling of vetting requirements.
Context
The U.S. has witnessed a dramatic increase in Chinese nationals illegally crossing the southern border. In the San Diego sector, 485 Chinese immigrants were apprehended in just two days, surpassing the 323 encountered throughout fiscal year 2021. This surge is part of a broader trend, with over 24,200 Chinese nationals apprehended in the first six months of fiscal year 2024, marking a 7,000% increase since 2021 and a projected rise of 14,000% by the end of the fiscal year. The influx comes amid concerns about relaxed vetting requirements for Chinese nationals, raising questions about national security.
The Biden administration’s decision to relax vetting requirements for Chinese nationals has drawn criticism from conservative voices concerned about national security. Internal emails revealed that border patrol agents were instructed to reduce the number of interview questions for Chinese migrants. This lack of scrutiny has led to fears of espionage and sabotage, as China is considered an adversarial nation to the U.S. The majority of these immigrants are released, as China is not cooperative with deportation flights.
China affairs expert Gordon Chang expressed concern, stating,
“When I first saw the surge in Chinese migrants, that’s the thought that came to my mind that these are either Ministry of State Security agents or Chinese military, who are coming to this country to commit acts of sabotage against the US.”
Rep. Mark Green, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, emphasized the threat, noting that the majority of Chinese immigrants are military-aged males. “I think every American should be scared to death,” Green said, adding that these individuals could be “tracking our railheads and looking at our ports” if the U.S. defends Taiwan.
The surge in Chinese nationals attempting to cross the southern border illegally presents significant implications for national security. With the Biden administration’s relaxed vetting procedures, there are concerns about potential espionage or sabotage activities. The trend highlights the need for a reassessment of U.S. border security and immigration policies, especially in light of potential conflict scenarios with China.
The exponential increase in Chinese nationals crossing the southern border illegally underscores the importance of robust vetting and border security measures. The situation demands a careful reevaluation of policies to mitigate potential national security threats. Further coverage on this topic can be found here and on USDailyObserver.
