Immigration
Chinese national encounters at U.S. border increase 800% in FY2023 compared to same time in FY2022
There have been 1,861 encounters between Border Patrol agents and Chinese nationals between when the fiscal year began in October and the end of December
February 11, 2023 3:12am
Updated: February 13, 2023 9:13am
Border Patrol interceptions of Chinese migrants attempting to cross into the United States illegally have increased by more than 800% compared to last year, a source with the Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
There have been 1,861 encounters between Border Patrol agents and Chinese nationals between when the 2023 fiscal year began in October and the end of December, according to CBP statistics. During the same period in Fiscal Year 2022, there were only 229 apprehensions of Chinese nationals, representing a significant increase from last year.
In December alone, Border Patrol agents encountered 931 Chinese nationals, compared to 64 in December of last year.
According to CBP data, the number of Chinese nationals attempting to cross the border has been steadily increasing every month since February 2021.
Chinese nationals apprehended at the border are usually processed for expedited removal unless they can present a credible fear of persecution in their home country. Those who claim to be persecuted are released into the U.S. and given a court date for an asylum hearing.
However, the U.S. government is concerned that some Chinese nationals claiming to be asylum seekers are potential spies for their homeland, a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) source told Fox News.
Along with an increase of Chinese nationals crossing the border, the U.S.-Mexico border is encountering an unprecedented number of migrant encounters. In December alone, Border Patrol agents encountered more than 251,000 undocumented migrants from more than 170 countries.
