New figures released by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reveal a significant increase in the number of Chinese migrants illegally crossing the southern border compared to the previous year. According to CBP sources, over 20,000 Chinese nationals have entered the country illegally since the start of the new fiscal year in October, with more than 90% of them crossing into the San Diego sector. This area has seen a record-breaking surge of over 500% in Chinese migrants compared to the same period last year, making them the fastest-growing demographic of illegal entrants.
The border town of Jacumba, located about 60 miles east of San Diego, has become a hotspot for these illegal crossings. The town has seen a daily influx of migrants slipping through a small gap in the border wall, often facilitated by suspected human smugglers. This surge in Chinese migrants has raised concerns about potential links to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
Some experts have expressed national security concerns regarding this influx, particularly due to the fact that many of these migrants are single adult males of military age. Brandon Judd, president of the National Border Patrol Council, highlighted the fear that China, a country with strained relations with the US, may be exporting individuals who pose a threat.
There have been reports suggesting that Chinese migrants are using social media platforms like TikTok to learn how to find gaps in the border wall and hire smugglers. This highlights the evolving methods employed by migrants to enter the country illegally.
It is worth noting that while there has been a surge in Chinese migrants in California, encounters along the Texas border have slowed significantly due to increased security measures implemented by the state. In January, there were 176,205 migrant encounters along the southern border, a decrease from the record-breaking numbers seen in December.
In addition to the immigration challenges, CBP has been actively combating the smuggling of fentanyl. The agency has seized 7,000 pounds of fentanyl in the current fiscal year through January, surpassing the total amount seized in the previous five years combined.
The situation at the southern border continues to be a contentious issue, with the House of Representatives recently voting to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas over his handling of border security. The Biden administration's approach to border control remains a topic of debate and scrutiny.