The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has deported a large number of immigrants living in the United States illegally to their home countries.
Newsweek understands that 131 Chinese nationals were taken off the chartered flight on October 15.
This is the second large-scale charter removal flight to China this year, after more than 100 migrants returned home in June.
A statement from DHS said the flight demonstrated the United States’ plan to “reduce and deter irregular migration.”
A beautiful view of airplanes flying overhead, taken in Raleigh, North Carolina. It comes as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced Thursday that it has deported a large group of Chinese immigrants from the United States… A beautiful view of aircraft flying overhead, taken in Raleigh, North Carolina. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced Thursday that it has deported a large number of Chinese immigrants from the United States to their home countries. Bruce Bennett/Getty
“Prospective migrants should not believe the lies of smugglers. Chinese nationals who have no legal basis to be in the United States will be subject to immediate deportation,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas. said.
“The Department of Homeland Security will continue to enforce our laws by increasing penalties for individuals who enter our country illegally.”
The first large-scale chartered removal flight since 2018 was carried out in June in coordination with China’s National Immigration Administration. On the first major flight of the year, 116 Chinese nationals on board were deported to China for illegally staying in the United States.
Since June 4, the number of encounters with Border Patrol agents has decreased by more than 55%, and by the end of August, DHS had conducted more than 398 international repatriation flights to more than 140 countries, including China.
This comes after President Joe Biden took the drastic executive action of issuing a proclamation temporarily suspending the entry of some noncitizens who cross the southern border.
Over the past year, DHS has expelled illegal aliens from countries including Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Egypt, Mauritania, Senegal, Uzbekistan, India and China.
DHS says more illegal immigrants were deported or returned.
Fiscal year 2024 is higher than any year since fiscal year 2010.
The number of Chinese immigrants apprehended at the U.S.-Mexico border has increased over the past two years, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data.
CBP data from 2007 to August 2024 shows minimal numbers until 2023, when the number on the southwest border exceeds 24,000. By 2024, that number will reach 36,500.
Many Chinese citizens have applied for asylum in the United States, citing fear of President Xi Jinping and economic instability.
China’s strict measures against the coronavirus and a bleak economic outlook for many prompted the migrants to make the trip. However, the Republican-led House Homeland Security Committee
He said this trend was unsustainable.
The committee chairman, Rep. Mark Green (R-Tenn.), previously told Newsweek magazine, “Currently, Biden and Harris are responsible for an unprecedented number of Chinese nationals crossing the border illegally. “This is due to the mass capture and release policy of the United States.”
“Amnesty International is concerned about the resumption of deportation flights between the United States and China,” Carolyn Nash, Asia advocacy director at Amnesty International USA, told Newsweek.
“Amnesty International has witnessed Chinese nationals being yelled at, shoved and abused by police at the border due to anti-China sentiment.
“Significant political and legislative actions are fueling this sentiment, including an increase in ‘tough on China’ rhetoric.
“When denied the safety and freedom of their homes, people seek refuge. The Chinese government has put it at risk to speak out, to protest, to demand a living wage. We are paying the price for such policies.”