U.S. Repatriates Deported Chinese Nationals in Second Charter Flight This Year

The U.S. conducted its second charter removal flight of undocumented Chinese immigrants to the People's Republic of China (PRC) this year. The first large charter removal flight since 2018 took place in June.

Per a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) press release, U.S. authorities worked closely with the PRC National Immigration Administration to make the flight happen, and both countries plan to continue their efforts.

"This week's flight demonstrates the Department's continued commitment to pursuing sustained cooperation with the PRC and other international partners to reduce and deter irregular migration," DHS wrote.

According to the University of Maryland, nearly 10 times as many Chinese migrants crossed the southern border in 2023 as in 2022. In December 2023 alone, U.S. Border Patrol officials reported encounters with about 6,000 Chinese migrants, compared to 900 in December 2022.

The university attributes the increase to various factors, ranging from a slowing Chinese economy and tightening political control by President Xi Jinping to easy access to online information on Chinese social media about making the trip.

"Intending migrants should not believe the lies of smugglers – Chinese nationals without a legal basis to remain in the United States are subject to swift removal," said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas. "The Department of Homeland Security will continue to strengthen consequences for individuals unlawfully entering our country and enforce our nation's laws."

DHS reported its agents have operated more than 398 international repatriation flights through the end of August to more than 140 countries. According to the federal agency, more immigrants have been removed or returned in fiscal year 2024 than in any year since fiscal year 2010. The agency also stated that "efforts to expand removal flights continue."