Surge in Chinese Immigrants to the US Amidst Deportation Orders and Economic Concerns

Washington, November 28, 2023 – In an unexpected twist, the United States has experienced a notable increase in the number of Chinese nationals attempting to enter the country, with over 24,000 detained by US immigration last year alone. This surge is particularly surprising given the challenges and risks involved in the journey, spanning from China to Mexico.

Amid China’s strict measures to control the spread of Covid-19 and concerns about President Xi Jinping’s authoritarian policies, a growing number of Chinese citizens are seeking refuge in the US. Economic uncertainties in the wake of a slowdown in the Chinese economy have further fueled this trend. Approximately 100,000 Chinese immigrants, among the 1.3 million facing deportation orders, are caught in the midst of this immigration wave.

The journey of Chinese immigrants takes them from China to Ecuador, where visa requirements are lax, and then through the perilous jungles spanning Colombia and Panama, finally reaching the US-Mexico border. Despite the arduous journey, Chinese nationals are more successful in filing asylum claims in US immigration courts compared to individuals from other countries, writes Eileen Sullivan in The New York Times.

The surge in Chinese immigrants is part of a broader increase in the number of people attempting to enter the US illegally. According to Panamanian officials, the Darien Gap, a dense jungle on the route to the US, has seen a significant rise in crossings, with over 481,000 people passing through this year, compared to 248,000 the previous year.

President Biden is facing mounting pressure to address the escalating immigration issue, particularly as it becomes a focal point in US politics. The unexpected presence of relatively affluent and safe Chinese individuals among illegal immigrants has added a new dimension to the debate.

New York, specifically Flushing in Queens, has become a major destination for Chinese immigrants, offering job opportunities and a sense of community. The Chinese now constitute the fourth-largest group traversing the jungles of Panama to reach the US, with more than 24,000 apprehended at the US-Mexico border this fiscal year.

Contrary to historical patterns of Chinese immigration, these individuals appear to be middle-class adults seeking asylum in the US. The success rate of Chinese asylum claims in immigration courts is notably high, with 67 percent approval from 2001 to 2021, according to data from the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse at Syracuse University.

Despite deportation orders, Chinese immigrants have been unable to return to their home country, a situation analysts believe may be prolonged if the Chinese government maintains its stance. This exodus poses a long-term challenge to China, which is already grappling with a declining population and a slowing economy.

While the US government has employed pressure tactics, such as withholding aid to countries refusing to take back their citizens, the impact on China is limited due to the minimal aid received. Immigration did not feature prominently in recent high-level discussions between US and Chinese officials, with both countries prioritizing other pressing issues.

As the immigration debate continues, the influx of working-age Chinese citizens to the US underscores the challenges China faces in maintaining its labor force amid a declining population and economic uncertainties.