'Very scary prospect': Spike in illegal immigrants from this US adversary blows lid off previous year's record

The number of Chinese nationals entering nan United States illegally and stopped by Border Patrol truthful acold this fiscal twelvemonth has exceeded nan tremendous number seen successful each of fiscal twelvemonth 2023 — pinch six months still to go.

According to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data, successful nan first six months of fiscal 2024, which began successful October, Border Patrol had caught 24,296 Chinese nationals crossing illegally betwixt ports of entry. That exceeds nan 24,125 caught successful each of fiscal 2023.

For comparison, successful fiscal 2022, location were conscionable 1,987 apprehensions, and successful fiscal 2021 location were conscionable 342. 

Those numbers only relationship for those entering illegally betwixt ports of entry. Including ports of entry, location person been 41,970 encounters, compared to 52,700 successful fiscal 2023.

CHINA PUSHING US FENTANYL CRISIS, HOUSE PANEL REPORT REVEALS 

Migrants successful statement successful Jacumba, California. Border authorities are contending pinch an influx of Chinese migrants successful a cardinal separator sector. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

Fox reported earlier this period that nan number of Chinese nationals entering illegally has surged by complete 6,300% since fiscal 2021. That study came arsenic 182 Chinese nationals were encountered successful a azygous assemblage successful a azygous day.

Lawmakers and officials person raised concerns astir nan migrants' imaginable ties to nan Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and nan activity of fentanyl into nan U.S.

"There person been galore documented instances of Chinese nationals, astatine nan guidance of nan CCP, engaging successful espionage, stealing subject and economical secrets," lawmakers, led by Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., said past year. 

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Brandon Judd, president of nan National Border Patrol Council, which represents each rank-and-file Border Patrol agents nationwide, told Fox News successful February nan mostly of nan Chinese separator crossers are azygous big males of subject age.

"That is simply a very scary prospect. We cognize that China does not for illustration us. We cognize that we are successful nan crosshairs of China," he said. "And they are exporting truthful galore group to our country, and you person to really fearfulness astir that."

This week, a bipartisan House study recovered nan Chinese authorities has fixed taxation rebates and grants to companies that make definite fentanyl and synthetic supplier precursors utilized by supplier traffickers arsenic agelong arsenic they are sold extracurricular of China.

This photograph shows a Chinese migrant captured entering a subject guidelines March 27, 2024. (Customs and Border Protection)

"Through its actions, arsenic our study has revealed, nan Chinese Communist Party is telling america that it wants much fentanyl entering our country," said Rep. Mike Gallagher, nan Republican president of nan typical House committee. "It wants nan chaos and devastation that has resulted from nan epidemic."

Illicit fentanyl is typically created successful Mexico utilizing Chinese precursors and past moved crossed nan confederate onshore border.

CHINESE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT ARRESTED AFTER DRIVING ONTO MILITARY BASE IN CALIFORNIA

Last month, a Chinese forbidden immigrant was detained successful California aft entering a Marine Corps guidelines without authorization and ignoring orders to leave.

The Biden management has besides acknowledged nan national information threat from China much broadly successful its nationalist threat assessment, though not specifically from migrants, who it says are afloat vetted utilizing biographic and biometric information.

Border officials person stressed location will beryllium consequences for those who participate nan U.S. illegally, including those from China.

"DHS continues to enforce United States migration laws, expanding lawful pathways while strengthening enforcement consequences for those who transverse our separator unlawfully," nan agency said successful a connection erstwhile nan Chinese nationalist was arrested astatine nan subject base. 

"Individuals and families without a ineligible ground to stay successful nan U.S. are taxable to removal pursuant to Title 8 authorities and are taxable to a minimum five-year barroom connected reapplying for admittance and imaginable criminal prosecution if they subsequently re-enter without authorization."

Fox News has besides spoken to Chinese migrants who person said they are conscionable trying to use themselves and their families.

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"My English is not very good, and I don't cognize anyone successful nan United States," one migrant told Fox past month. "Once I get to nan United States, I cognize I person to commencement each complete again. But I want to unrecorded a bully life successful nan future, and I want my children to beryllium knowledgeable well. I strive to return guidelines successful nan United States arsenic soon arsenic possible."

Fox News' Bill Melugin contributed to this report.