Chinese Nationals Exceed Mexican Nationals at US Southern Border, Raising National Security Concerns
Recent data from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has revealed that the number of Chinese nationals encountered at the US southern border in California is surpassing that of Mexican nationals, a trend that has been ongoing for several years. This concerning development has renewed national security concerns among officials.
Since the fiscal year began in October, CBP data shows that Chinese nationals are the second-largest nationality encountered at the border in the San Diego Sector, with a total of 21,000 encounters. The only nationality surpassing them is Colombia, with 28,000 encounters. Mexican nationals rank third with 18,700 encounters, followed by Brazil, Ecuador, and other countries such as Turkey, Guinea, India, Guatemala, and Peru.
In a recent report, Fox News highlighted that between Saturday and Monday alone, Border Patrol apprehended 452 Chinese nationals in the San Diego Sector, exceeding the total number encountered during the whole fiscal year of 2021 across the entire border. The number of Chinese nationals encountered has been steadily increasing since fiscal 2021, reaching over 2,000 border-wide in fiscal 2022 and soaring to more than 24,314 in fiscal 2023.
This significant increase in Chinese nationals crossing the border has raised concerns among Republican lawmakers and border officials. Given China’s status as a geopolitical foe, the potential for espionage and national security threats becomes a pressing issue. Brandon Judd, the president of the National Border Patrol Council, expressed alarm, stating that the majority of Chinese border-crossers are single adult males of military age. He emphasized the need to recognize China’s hostile intentions towards the United States and take appropriate measures to address this issue.
Immigration activists have also pointed out that Chinese citizens might be seeking asylum due to their country’s repressive government. However, it is important to note that China is one of several special-interest countries that require additional vetting by authorities. The San Diego Sector has seen arrivals from other special-interest countries such as Mauritania, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan.
Overall, the San Diego Sector has encountered over 140,000 illegal immigrants since October, contributing to a total of more than 961,000 migrant encounters border-wide this fiscal year. These numbers follow a record-breaking 2.4 million encounters in fiscal 2023. While December witnessed a record 301,000 encounters, there was a sharp decline to 176,000 in January.
The influx of Chinese nationals at the US southern border has become a significant concern for national security. The growing numbers and the potential for espionage raise alarm among officials, highlighting the need for effective border security measures and enhanced vetting procedures. As the situation continues to unfold, it is essential for the US government to address and mitigate these risks to safeguard the nation’s security and interests.
