OPINION | This article contains commentary that reflects the author's opinion.
According to an unofficial CBP report, nearly 700 Chinese migrants were apprehended in San Diego in April, bringing the total to over 26,000 since October.
This represents a 300% increase over last year.
“We have only conducted one repatriation flight back to China recently,” one source stated. “Until that changes, unless we have specific derogatory information about an individual, we are releasing. There’s just no other option.”
“We want to focus on the threats posed by the Government of China and not cast aspersions on all the people of China, but governments are people and at this point,” the source added. “We are in the dark concerning who is a foe and who is a friend.”
China is now in the top 10 nationalities encountered.
Most Chinese nationals are released due to China refusing repatriation flights.
Intelligence from debriefings yields little information on migrants’ purpose.
An expert noted the lack of vetting is concerning given China’s ability to exploit weaknesses, though most migrants may be fleeing poor conditions.
“Totalitarian governments like China are great exploiters of opportunity,” retired Army Colonel Dr. Kenneth Allard said. “They recognize weakness and capitalize on it immediately. What we are seeing reflects a deliberate policy choice by the regime.”
The smuggling route is long and costly, through Central America and Mexico.
During the first half of FY2024, over 24,000 Chinese migrants were apprehended, exceeding the total for all of FY2023, with most in the San Diego sector.
