Categories: U.S.

Only 288 Chinese citizens deported from US in FY 23 despite 24,000 encounters at border as influx continues

close Video

Thousands of Chinese nationals illegally enter US through San Diego sector

Fox News national correspondent joins ‘Fox & Friends First’ to share takeaways from his experience along the U.S. southern border in California.

Join Fox News for access to this content Plus get unlimited access to thousands of articles, videos and more with your free account! Please enter a valid email address. By entering your email, you are agreeing to Fox News Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, which includes our Notice of Financial Incentive. To access the content, check your email and follow the instructions provided.

Only 288 Chinese citizens were deported from the United States during the 2023 fiscal year despite border authorities encountering more than 24,000 in the same time frame – according to a December report – as concerns have increased over a sudden influx of Chinese migrants at a key border sector. 

More than 21,000 Chinese citizens have already been apprehended in the Border Patrol’s San Diego Sector alone during the 2024 fiscal year.

A New York Times report last year revealed there were more than 100,000 Chinese nationals in the U.S. with final orders of removal that had not been deported. 

The low number of removals highlights the difficulty of deporting Chinese citizens to their home country. China has generally been uncooperative, sometimes refusing to accept its citizens back. 

CHINESE ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION ON PACE TO BREAK RECORDS AT US SOUTHERN BORDER

Migrants line up at a truck in Jacumba, California delivering hot food that was prepared, cooked and delivered by a small group of local volunteers.  (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data obtained by Fox News shows that Chinese nationals are the second-largest nationality encountered at the border in the San Diego Sector since the fiscal year began in October.

Many have crossed into the U.S. in places like Jacumba, a small town about 60 miles east of San Diego. 

CHINESE MIGRANTS POURING ACROSS SOUTHERN BORDER SPARK NATIONAL SECURITY CONCERNS

Migrants in line in Jacumba, California. Border authorities are contending with an influx of Chinese migrants in a key border sector. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

The number of Chinese nationals crossing through the San Diego Sector is second only to Colombia (28,000). Third is Mexican nationals with 18,700, followed by Brazil (8,700) and Ecuador (7,700). Other countries of origin include Turkey, Guinea, India, Guatemala and Peru.

The number of Chinese migrants appearing at the southern border has been increasing since fiscal 2021. In fiscal 2022, numbers increased to more than 2,000 border-wide. In fiscal 2023, that number then surged to more than 24,314.

7.2 ILLEGALS ENTEREDTHE US UNDER BIDEN ADMIN, AN AMOUNT GREATER THAN POPULATION OF 36 STATES

The influx has raised concerns from lawmakers and border authorities because of China’s espionage efforts as well as being an adversary of the U.S.

“That is a very scary prospect. We know that China does not like us, we know that we are in the crosshairs of China,” Brandon Judd, the president of the National Border Patrol Council, told Fox News last week.

Chinese Migrants attempting to cross in to the U.S. from Mexico are detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the border November 11, 2023, in Jacumba, California.  (Nick Ut/Getty Images)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

In its fiscal year 2023 report, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) noted that there were 44 deportations to Afghanistan, despite the country being ruled by the Taliban, six to Syria, two to North Korea and 18 to Iran. 

Overall, more than 140,000 illegal immigrants have been encountered in the San Diego sector since October.

Louis Casiano is a reporter for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to louis.casiano@fox.com.

Share

Recent Posts

Senator warns of ‘unconstitutional’ judicial overreach ahead of SCOTUS showdown

Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, told Fox News Digital this week that he remains confident there…

2 hours ago

Real ID is about to go into effect. Here’s how it may impact voting

The federal government’s push to finally execute REAL ID travel requirements will take effect Wednesday,…

2 hours ago

Senate Democrats predicting ‘brutal’ UN ambassador confirmation hearing for Mike Waltz

Senate Democrats are warning that Mike Waltz is going to have a very difficult time…

2 hours ago

Former VP Pence vows to be a ‘voice against’ Trump when president veers from ‘conservative agenda’

EXCLUSIVE - BOSTON – He is out of power, but former Vice President Mike Pence…

2 hours ago

Trump’s 16th week in office to include WH meeting with Canada, ongoing trade negotiations

President Donald Trump is fresh off his 100th day in office and says his administration…

4 hours ago

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene airs frustrations, warns that she represents a ‘not happy’ Republican base

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., expressed her frustrations on a variety of political topics on…

4 hours ago