In a move that could have significant political implications, the United States has sent a second flight of undocumented Chinese migrants back to China for repatriation. This comes just three weeks before the crucial US presidential election, where immigration and border security remain hot-button issues. The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed the news on Thursday, stating that the action demonstrated their “continued commitment to pursuing sustained cooperation” with Beijing.
While the DHS declined to disclose the exact number of deportees on board the flight or the location of its takeoff and landing, this repatriation effort marks the second such flight in a matter of months. The first flight, carrying 116 Chinese nationals, took off in July, marking the resumption of a practice that had been discontinued since 2018. Both flights were carried out in close coordination with China’s National Immigration Administration.
The timing of these deportations, coinciding with the US presidential election, cannot be overlooked. Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are locked in a tight race, and immigration has emerged as a central theme in the campaign. Both candidates have staked out strong stances on border security and immigration control, making this issue particularly relevant to the electorate.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas emphasized the need for stricter enforcement, stating, “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.” He also highlighted the DHS’s commitment to strengthening consequences for illegal entry and upholding the nation’s laws.
This latest repatriation flight comes on the heels of President Joe Biden’s proclamation in June, imposing a crackdown on migrants unlawfully crossing the southern border. The proclamation, aimed at addressing the ongoing border crisis, temporarily suspended the entry of undocumented migrants and limited asylum eligibility. This action, coupled with the deportation flights, demonstrates the administration’s determined approach to tackling illegal immigration.
Beijing and Washington have been actively collaborating on migration issues since earlier this year. In May, the Chinese embassy in Washington declared its “firm opposition to all forms of illegal immigration” and expressed its willingness to cooperate with the US on repatriating illegal immigrants. The Chinese National Immigration Administration echoed this sentiment in a statement on Thursday, highlighting their collaboration with law enforcement authorities in various countries, including the US, to combat “smuggling and other serious illegal and criminal activities.”
China, since lifting its strict COVID-19 restrictions, has witnessed a surge in Chinese migrants seeking entry to the US via the southern border with Mexico. Data from US Customs and Border Protection indicates that over 21,000 Chinese nationals were apprehended at the southern border between January and August of this year. This number surpasses the total for the entire year of 2022, which saw 24,278 Chinese nationals apprehended at the border. These statistics underscore the growing challenge posed by undocumented Chinese migration and highlight the importance of the collaborative efforts between the US and China to address this issue. The second repatriation flight to China, coinciding with the US presidential election, signals a concerted effort by the US administration to tackle illegal immigration and demonstrate their commitment to upholding the nation’s laws. This move, coupled with the intensified cooperation between Beijing and Washington on migration matters, suggests a comprehensive approach to managing the flow of undocumented migrants at the US border.
