Unprecedented Surge in Chinese Illegal Immigration Raises Security Concerns: The BorderLine – Daily Signal
Editors note: This week, we will be taking a brief break from Simon Hankinsons originally scheduled Part 3 of his series on the three reasons President Joe Bidens border chaos is intentional.
Instead, we bring you lightly edited excerpts from his breaking testimony Thursday before the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Accountability at a hearing on Security Risk: The Unprecedented Surge in Chinese Illegal Immigration.
I served as a Foreign Service officer in seven countries. I have adjudicated thousands of visa applications to facilitate lawful visits, commerce, and immigration to the United States while excluding aliens who were legally inadmissible. The visa process I worked with overseas stands in total contrast to what happens at the U.S. border today.
Over the past two years, I have visited the border in Arizona, California, New York, and Texas. On those visits, I saw nationals of many countries apprehended by the Border Patrol. In San Diego last March, I watched Border Patrol dropping off dozens of aliens, including Chinese, at a bus stop to release them into the country.
Mass release of people who entered the country illegally happens nearly every day, multiple times, at multiple locations. At best, this is a mockery of U.S. immigration law and sovereignty. At worst, it is a huge national security and community safety risk. In addition to many Chinese aliens with connections to the Chinese Communist Party, Peoples Liberation Army, and other state entities, it is statistically probable that the Department of Homeland Security is releasing people with serious criminal records.
According to U.S. law, DHS is supposed to detain aliens who enter the country illegally. But the Biden administration has replaced border control with mass processing, parole, and release. DHS has also abused immigration parole at an unprecedented scale.
In January 2021, which included the first 11 days of the new Biden administration, the Border Patrol encountered 17 Chinese aliens between ports of entry. By January 2024, it was 3,700 in that one month alone. As of April 30 this year, DHS had already encountered 48,501 inadmissible Chinese aliens in fiscal year 2024 (which began Oct. 1, 2023); 27,583 of them between ports of entry.
Nearly all are being released into an asylum process that will take years to conclude. At the end of that process, those ordered removed are extremely unlikely to be deported, because the Chinese government does not cooperate in accepting their nationals back.
In fiscal year 2023, Immigration and Customs Enforcement removed only 288 Chinese aliens, leaving up to 100,000 still in the U.S., despite final orders of removal.
Most Chinese entering illegally are seeking employment. They use asylum claims to enter, remain, and work in the United States. Illegal immigration ebbs and flows corresponding to a risk-reward calculation. Today, Chinese are coming in great numbers simply because they can. Worldwide awareness of our open border, spread by social media, shows them how.
For example, Chinese citizens do not need a visa to fly to Ecuador, after which they can continue by land north to the U.S. And starting on May 17, Air China will begin direct flights from Beijing to Havana. If Chinese aliens are willing to take the dangerous trek by land from Ecuador to the U.S. via the Darien Gap, why wouldnt they also be willing to traverse the 90 miles by water to Florida?
Overseas, an in-person interview by a U.S. consular officer is the first line of vetting for foreign visa applicants wanting to come to the United States. This is buttressed by consular staff who know local languages, customs, and news. Larger embassies host other federal agencies that can assist with vetting investigations.
The second line of vetting is through automatic checks of U.S. government databases. Applicants are frequently refused entry based on adverse information that would not have been discovered had the person arrived illegally with no identity documents at the border.
Meanwhile, at the border today, most national security decisions of who gets into our country are no longer made by American officers. Under President Joe Bidens policies, what was once a privilege for aliens has become a right.
Despite what the Biden administration wishes the public to believe, there is no real vetting of those released at the border, nor of those allowed in under parole programs, much less of the gotaways who enter covertly between ports of entry without inspection. The official visa front door competes with a wide-open back door at the border, where there are no routine criminal background checks using records from the persons home country. Unless a foreign national has a record held by U.S. agencies, DHS is flying blind.
Concerning China specifically, Customs and Border Protection agents have reportedly reduced the number of standard questions asked of inadmissible Chinese aliens at the border from 40 to five.
But, however many questions, the process relies on an alien telling the truth and agents taking them at their word. Even if Customs and Border Protection requests additional information on an individual, China routinely ignores U.S. requests for verification of nationality, and they reportedly hide records of criminal and corruption cases.
DHS releases most aliens caught at the border with a Notice to Appear in immigration courtat a date far into the future. Aliens are then free to go wherever they want, with no way for ICE to easily find them.
There are more than 6 million aliens on ICEs Non-Detained Docket, of whom only about 184,000 are tracked using whats called Alternatives to Detention, which uses passive methods to track them, such as having the alien check in with ICE by phone every day. Only 2% of aliens tracked using Alternatives to Detention have actual GPS monitors.
To close this dangerous loophole, the U.S. needs to re-implement agreements with Mexico and Northern Triangle countries of Central America so that inadmissible aliens are not released into the interior of the U.S. pending the decision in their asylum cases, but instead remain in those countries as they await their determinations (the vast majority of which will result in their asylum applications being rejected).
Given the population, economy, and politics of China, the U.S. can never meet the demand for those seeking to enter our country illegally. The U.S. will at some point have to remove those who are ineligible to enter or remain, or else abandon the rule of law that made this country so attractive for so many immigrants in the first place.
The BorderLineis a weekly Daily Signal feature examining everything from the unprecedentedillegal immigrationcrisis at the border to immigrations impact on cities and states throughout the land. We will also shed light on other critical border-related issues like human trafficking, drug smuggling, terrorism, and more.
The Ways the Left Exploits Illegal Immigration for Electoral Gain
The Ideological Roots of the Open Borders Push
US Should Adopt UKs Rwanda Plan to Address Illegal Immigration
Bidens Precarious Parole Programs for Illegal Immigrants
My Look Inside Bidens Illegal Immigrant Catch-and-Release Craziness
Go here to see the original:
Unprecedented Surge in Chinese Illegal Immigration Raises Security Concerns: The BorderLine - Daily Signal
- Criminal illegal alien sentenced to prison for assaulting ICE officers during Massachusetts arrest - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (.gov) - February 1st, 2026 [February 1st, 2026]
- Chicago mayor orders CPD to document illegal activity by immigration agents - FOX 32 Chicago - February 1st, 2026 [February 1st, 2026]
- Chicago mayor tells police to probe allegations of illegal activity by immigration agents - Reuters - February 1st, 2026 [February 1st, 2026]
- The Left is Badly Misreading the Politics of Illegal Immigration - American Enterprise Institute - AEI - February 1st, 2026 [February 1st, 2026]
- Mayor Brandon Johnson of Chicago ordered city police on Saturday to formally document and report aggressive and potentially illegal federal... - February 1st, 2026 [February 1st, 2026]
- Opinion | The left is badly misreading the politics of illegal immigration - The Washington Post - February 1st, 2026 [February 1st, 2026]
- Federal Court Will Hear Minnesota Claims That Immigration Surge is Illegal - The New York Times - January 26th, 2026 [January 26th, 2026]
- Letters: News outlets are denigrating federal agents and glossing over the reality of illegal immigration - chicagotribune.com - January 26th, 2026 [January 26th, 2026]
- Chaffetz: Democrats Have Overplayed Their Hand On Illegal Immigration - FOX News Radio - January 26th, 2026 [January 26th, 2026]
- VOTE: Do you agree with the way ICE is conducting its illegal immigration crackdown? - WPEC - January 11th, 2026 [January 11th, 2026]
- ICE arrests dozens of criminal illegal aliens convicted of murder, child rape and more in sanctuary state Minnesota - ICE | U.S. Immigration and... - January 11th, 2026 [January 11th, 2026]
- VOTE: Do you agree with the way ICE is conducting its illegal immigration crackdown? - National News Desk - January 11th, 2026 [January 11th, 2026]
- Cochran: Illegal immigration, enforcement of laws to be at forefront of assembly session - The Daily Post-Athenian - January 11th, 2026 [January 11th, 2026]
- Report: Hundreds more federal agents to arrive in Twin Cities for illegal immigration and fraud crackdown - Star Tribune - January 6th, 2026 [January 6th, 2026]
- Who's Responsible? Identity Theft Fueled by Government Inaction and Illegal Immigration - Herald/Review Media - January 6th, 2026 [January 6th, 2026]
- Report: Hundreds more federal agents to arrive in Twin Cities for illegal immigration and fraud crackdown - Red Lake Nation News - January 6th, 2026 [January 6th, 2026]
- Who's Responsible? Identity Theft Fueled by Government Inaction and Illegal Immigration - RealClearInvestigations - January 2nd, 2026 [January 2nd, 2026]
- 2025 Year in Review: Border Security and Illegal Immigration - thetexan.news - December 31st, 2025 [December 31st, 2025]
- ICE Operation Highway Sentinel arrests over 100 illegal alien truck drivers in Gavin Newsoms California - ICE | U.S. Immigration and Customs... - December 27th, 2025 [December 27th, 2025]
- ED Attaches Assets Worth Rs 5.41 Crore Over Illegal Immigration To US - NDTV - December 16th, 2025 [December 16th, 2025]
- Is the government meeting its pledges on illegal immigration and asylum? - AOL.com - December 16th, 2025 [December 16th, 2025]
- ROSEN: Ruben Navarette glosses over illegal part of immigration - Sentinel Colorado - December 16th, 2025 [December 16th, 2025]
- HUDs Turner blames housing affordability crisis on unchecked illegal immigration - Scotsman Guide - December 16th, 2025 [December 16th, 2025]
- TSA and DHS team up to crackdown on illegal immigration in the air - Fox News - December 14th, 2025 [December 14th, 2025]
- OPINION: Its Time For Cities To Join The Fight Against Illegal Immigration - Dallas Express - December 14th, 2025 [December 14th, 2025]
- Tory shadow minister praises Trumps illegal immigration crackdown and says it could work in UK - the-independent.com - December 10th, 2025 [December 10th, 2025]
- Vances Misleading Claims on Housing Prices and Illegal Immigration - FactCheck.org - December 10th, 2025 [December 10th, 2025]
- The truth about crime and illegal immigration is even worse than you imagine - The Telegraph - December 10th, 2025 [December 10th, 2025]
- ICE Buffalo arrests notorious drug trafficker and criminal illegal alien from Ukraine who attempted to exploit immigration law to hide from justice -... - December 10th, 2025 [December 10th, 2025]
- Tory shadow minister praises Trumps illegal immigration crackdown and says it could work in UK - AOL.com - December 10th, 2025 [December 10th, 2025]
- Since the inauguration of the second Trump administration, illegal immigration crackdowns have been - - December 10th, 2025 [December 10th, 2025]
- UAE Introduces Strict Visa Rules To Enhance National Security, Imposing Hefty Fines And Prison Terms For Illegal Immigration And Misuse Of Travel... - December 10th, 2025 [December 10th, 2025]
- Illegal immigration under Trump and Biden: What numbers reveal - MSN - December 10th, 2025 [December 10th, 2025]
- Illegal immigration is hurting U.S. economy: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent - Fox News - November 26th, 2025 [November 26th, 2025]
- Carter calls for increased ICE presence in Atlanta to address criminal illegal immigration problem - U.S. Representative Buddy Carter (.gov) - November 20th, 2025 [November 20th, 2025]
- Florida Takes the Lead to Eliminate Burdens of Illegal Immigration - Federation for American Immigration Reform - November 20th, 2025 [November 20th, 2025]
- Trumps claims about murder rates and illegal immigration fit red states more than blue states - WBEZ Chicago - November 7th, 2025 [November 7th, 2025]
- Violent criminal illegal alien apprehended by ICE after high-stakes operation in Chicago - ICE | U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (.gov) - November 7th, 2025 [November 7th, 2025]
- Deterring Illegal Immigration: This Town Decided that Actions Speak Louder than Words - Federation for American Immigration Reform - November 7th, 2025 [November 7th, 2025]
- Texas and Ohio Review Voter Rolls to Eliminate Illegal Alien Voting - Federation for American Immigration Reform - November 7th, 2025 [November 7th, 2025]
- Their plan was a flood of illegal immigration. Our answer is an immigration moratorium - Fox News - November 5th, 2025 [November 5th, 2025]
- ICE arrests Guatemalan illegal alien convicted of felony breaking and entering in Virginia - ICE | U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (.gov) - November 5th, 2025 [November 5th, 2025]
- ICE and Oklahoma bolster public safety on states highways by removing 34 illegal alien truck drivers - ICE | U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement... - November 5th, 2025 [November 5th, 2025]
- Illegal Immigrants To Be Hit Hard As SNAP and WIC Benefits Expire - Center for Immigration Studies - November 5th, 2025 [November 5th, 2025]
- Illegal Aliens Seek Less Effective Tracking System - Federation for American Immigration Reform - November 5th, 2025 [November 5th, 2025]
- Leon Sheriff's Office gets OK for $500K reimbursement for role in illegal immigration crackdown - Tallahassee Democrat - October 30th, 2025 [October 30th, 2025]
- Illegal Migrant Stabs Man Who Was Walking His Dog in the U.K. Exposes Truth Illegal Immigration - Megyn Kelly The Devil May Care - October 30th, 2025 [October 30th, 2025]
- Judge rules immigration detention of Chicago man with daughter battling cancer is illegal - CNN - October 26th, 2025 [October 26th, 2025]
- Judge rules immigration detention of Chicago man with daughter battling cancer is illegal - AP News - October 26th, 2025 [October 26th, 2025]
- ICE lodges arrest detainer for criminal illegal alien who killed 3 in California while driving 18-wheeler under the influence - ICE | U.S. Immigration... - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- White House condemns Illegal immigration as Indian truck driver kills three in California crash - The Indian EYE - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested more illegal alien criminals on Thursday as the Democrat-led shutdown continued into its fourth... - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- Illegal Immigration Crackdown Heats Up Along Treasure Coast - Real Radio 92.1 - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- Illinois warns immigration officers tampering with license plates is illegal - The Guardian - October 24th, 2025 [October 24th, 2025]
- Trump's work on illegal immigration has been 'nothing short of phenomenal': Rep. Brandon Gill - Fox News - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- Florida's CFO talks illegal immigration and funding for NE Florida sheriff's offices - The Florida Times-Union - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- Illegal Alien Police Officer Arrested in Illinois - Federation for American Immigration Reform - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- Trump's work on illegal immigration has been 'nothing short of phenomenal': Rep. Brandon Gill - Yahoo - October 23rd, 2025 [October 23rd, 2025]
- The Strange Case of the Illegal Alien Cop - Center for Immigration Studies - October 19th, 2025 [October 19th, 2025]
- ICE, federal partners arrest more than 1,400 illegal aliens in Massachusetts during Patriot 2.0, including murderers, rapists, drug traffickers, child... - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- ICE arrests illegal alien serving as a local police officer in Suburban Chicago - ICE | U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (.gov) - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- Federal immigration agents arrested an illegal immigrant who was working as a police officer in the sanctuary state of Illinois. Radule Bojovic, an... - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- Democrats Fight for Illegal Alien Healthcare Benefits as Government Shutdown Continues - Federation for American Immigration Reform - October 17th, 2025 [October 17th, 2025]
- The UK government will pay you $120K to convince the public that it's successfully tackling illegal immigration - Fortune - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Chief Deputy Lowes attends panel on illegal immigration - ReadTheReporter.com - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Headlines and Heartlines: State Rep. Janis Holt discusses education, property tax relief, illegal immigration and district concerns - - Bluebonnet... - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- Rafe Fletcher: Accountability, not technocracy, is the answer to illegal immigration - Conservative Home - October 15th, 2025 [October 15th, 2025]
- The Disturbing Connection Between U.N.s Green Energy Push and Illegal Immigration - The Heritage Foundation - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- Of Course Illegal Immigrants Access Public Health Benefits - Center for Immigration Studies - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- An illegal immigrant gang member on the run for allegedly killing a man in California went on to kill a woman in Texas before Immigration and Customs... - October 9th, 2025 [October 9th, 2025]
- ICE Issues Government Shutdown Warning on Illegal Immigration - Newsweek - October 2nd, 2025 [October 2nd, 2025]
- Digital ID cards: what are they and how will they help the UK deal with illegal immigration? - The Conversation - September 28th, 2025 [September 28th, 2025]
- ICE arrests illegal alien from Haiti connected to criminal terrorist organizations - ICE | U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (.gov) - September 25th, 2025 [September 25th, 2025]
- ICE, law enforcement partners searching for 2 illegal aliens who escaped after choking Border Patrol agent - ICE | U.S. Immigration and Customs... - September 23rd, 2025 [September 23rd, 2025]
- Venezuelan man responsible for sex trafficking female illegal aliens sentenced to 10 years in prison - ICE | U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement... - September 19th, 2025 [September 19th, 2025]
- UK minister dismisses Trump's call for military intervention to control illegal immigration | Hindustan Times - Hindustan Times - September 19th, 2025 [September 19th, 2025]
- ICE lodges detainer against illegal alien who murdered a teenage girl after she rejected his sexual advances - ICE | U.S. Immigration and Customs... - September 19th, 2025 [September 19th, 2025]
- ICE receives more than 150K job applications as Trumps crackdown on illegal immigration continues - New York Post - September 17th, 2025 [September 17th, 2025]
- ICE receives more than 150,000 job applications as Trump crackdown on illegal immigration intensifies - UNILAD - September 17th, 2025 [September 17th, 2025]
- Richard Brant and Lauren Butler: Reform UKs Plans for Getting Tough on Illegal Immigration: From Legal Reset to Sunset - UK Constitutional Law... - September 15th, 2025 [September 15th, 2025]