The United States Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) has reported a surge in Chinese migrants attempting to enter the country via the Southwestern border during FY2023. This data, which is available on the CBP's official government site, shows a significant increase compared to previous years.
According to CPB statistics, there were 450 encounters with individuals originating from China at the southwest border for the entirety of FY2021. However, this figure dramatically increased in FY2023, with a total of 24,314 encounters recorded. The upward trend appears to be continuing into FY2024; in October 2023 alone, there were 4,261 encounters and an additional 4,797 in November.
CNN reports that many Chinese immigrants are fleeing their home country due to economic instability and are making their way towards South America and eventually California. CNN's investigation into what they term as an "underground industry" reveals that this network aids Chinese immigrants in reaching the U.S. border. According to CNN's findings, the number of Chinese migrants arriving at the border over the past year has more than doubled compared to the total count over the last decade.
The journey undertaken by these migrants is not without its challenges. As CNN reports, many are driven by financial difficulties to seek refuge at border camps outside San Diego. A video report explains how most of these migrants initially travel to Ecuador - a country that does not require visas for entry - before opting for a smuggling system that can cost anywhere between $3,000 for basic supplies and $20,000 for a premium package. In response to this influx of Chinese migrants, businesses in Quito, Ecuador have adapted by offering accommodations such as Airbnb rentals and hotel rooms specifically catered towards those headed for the U.S. border.
The New York Times attributes this surge in Chinese migration to dissatisfaction with post-pandemic rules and restrictions imposed primarily by Xi Jinping. One migrant told the Times that he fled China due to the "political environment." The publication also noted that Chinese asylum seekers tend to have a higher success rate in court.
