A record-breaking number of Chinese migrants have been apprehended at the U.S. southern border, raising concerns about national security and the potential presence of spies.
Customs and Border Protection authorities reported that in the fiscal year ending in September 2023, 24,048 Chinese citizens were apprehended at the border with Mexico. This figure represents a substantial increase, more than twelve times higher than the 1,970 arrests recorded in the previous fiscal year.
Furthermore, it marks an extraordinary surge of over 7,000% from 2021 when a mere 323 Chinese nationals crossed the border. This increase occurred despite strict pandemic-related travel restrictions and lockdowns.