The Department of Homeland Security announced on Tuesday that it deported Chinese illegal immigrants over the weekend, marking the first large deportation charter flight to China since 2018.
The DHS did not specify the number of illegal immigrants on the flight, stating the removal was part of Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas’ efforts to engage with the People’s Republic of China on mutual interests. Mayorkas, impeached by the Republican-controlled House for his border policies, saw the articles of impeachment dismissed by the Democrat-controlled Senate.
“We will continue to enforce our immigration laws and remove individuals without a legal basis to remain in the United States,” Mayorkas said, urging people not to believe smugglers’ lies.
The DHS highlighted collaboration with China to reduce irregular migration and disrupt human smuggling through expanded law enforcement efforts. While the exact number of deported Chinese migrants is unknown, this effort contrasts with the 31,000 Chinese nationals apprehended at the U.S. southern border in the first 11 months of 2023, a figure higher than the previous decade combined, as reported by CNN.
A DHS press release emphasized President Biden’s executive order, which temporarily suspends the entry of some migrants if daily border encounters exceed 2,500. Biden has faced criticism for this late executive action, with House Speaker Mike Johnson calling it “window dressing.”
Security concerns persist, with the recent arrest of eight suspected ISIS-linked terrorists who illegally entered the U.S. Additionally, Biden’s handling of the border crisis has been scrutinized following murders allegedly committed by illegal immigrants, highlighted by former President Trump during a recent debate.
“This is horrible what’s taken place,” Trump said. “What’s taken place in our country, we’re literally an uncivilized country now.”
