The Department of Homeland Security recently announced the deportation of Chinese illegal immigrants back to China on a charter flight, marking the first large-scale deportation to China since 2018. The exact number of individuals on the flight was not disclosed, but the deportation was part of Secretary Mayorkas' efforts to engage with the People’s Republic of China on mutual interests.
Secretary Mayorkas, who faced impeachment by the House earlier this year over his handling of the border, emphasized the importance of enforcing immigration laws and combating human smuggling. The DHS highlighted collaboration between the U.S. and China to deter irregular migration and disrupt illicit human smuggling operations.
While the number of Chinese migrants deported over the weekend remains unknown, it is a fraction of the 31,000 Chinese nationals apprehended at the U.S. southern border in the first 11 months of 2023. The Biden administration has implemented temporary measures to limit entry for certain migrants if daily border encounters exceed 2,500.
Critics have accused President Biden of only taking action on the border shortly before an election, with some calling it "window dressing." Concerns about national security have also been raised, including the recent arrest of suspected terrorists with links to ISIS who illegally crossed the border.
The administration has faced criticism for its handling of the border crisis, particularly in light of alleged crimes committed by illegal immigrants. Former President Trump highlighted a tragic case during a recent debate, citing the rape and murder of a 12-year-old Texas girl by an illegal immigrant. These incidents have fueled debates surrounding immigration policies and border security in the United States.