Chinese migrants have been filmed crossing the U.S. border in Jacumba, California and handing themselves in to authorities. The footage, posted on social media, shows a group of people walking along a railway track before heading into mountainous, dry terrain. In a second clip, they can be seen giving themselves up to U.S. Customs and Border Patrol officers. The group consists of men, women, a few older people, and at least two children. Chinese migrants crossing the U.S. border have made headlines several times in the past, including at the beginning of the year when the border experienced a crisis with a significant influx of people attempting to enter the country.
Fox News national correspondent Bill Melugin shared the videos on social media, highlighting that Chinese nationals had crossed the border illegally in Jacumba, California and were surrendering to Border Patrol officers. The migrants were expecting to be released into the U.S., following the trend of Chinese nationals who have come before them in recent months. Newsweek reached out to the CBP’s press office and the San Diego Sherriff’s Department for official information on the situation. Additionally, CBS News’ 60 Minutes reported on a TikTok trend providing step-by-step instructions to Chinese individuals on how to cross the border, hire smugglers, and navigate specific areas of the border fence.
According to official CBP data, over 31,000 Chinese citizens were apprehended by law enforcement while attempting to cross from Mexico into the U.S. last year, a significant increase compared to the average of 1,500 per year over the previous decade. Foreign Policy magazine investigated the motivations behind Chinese migrants seeking to enter the U.S., with reasons including China’s slower COVID recovery, human rights abuses, and Ecuador’s visa-free access for Chinese passport holders, which facilitated travel to the U.S. The U.S. has shown a 55 percent acceptance rate for Chinese asylum claims, supporting the claims of those fleeing persecution.
National security analyst Rebecca Grant expressed concerns about the rising number of Chinese nationals attempting to enter the U.S., suggesting it could pose a security risk. She raised the possibility of some migrants potentially being sent by China for espionage purposes, given the country’s track record of using espionage to gather information on military and technology. Newsweek contacted the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs for comment on the situation. The influx of Chinese migrants crossing the U.S. border raises questions about national security implications and the motivations behind their attempts to enter the country. Further monitoring and investigation may be necessary to address these concerns.
