The US Department of Homeland Security confirmed that 116 Chinese migrants were sent back to China in the first large charter flight of its kind in five years. This move is part of ongoing efforts to enforce immigration laws and remove individuals without legal status in the US. The department is working with China to reduce irregular migration and human smuggling.
In recent years, the US has struggled to return Chinese nationals who enter the country illegally, leading to a surge in apprehensions at the southern border. Chinese migration has become a hot topic in US politics, with Republicans, including former president Donald Trump, raising concerns about the reasons behind Chinese migrants coming to the US.
Asian advocacy groups have expressed worries about potential harassment targeting Asians, while migrants themselves have cited poverty and repression as reasons for seeking refuge in the US. Earlier this year, the US and China resumed cooperation on migration issues, stressing the importance of cracking down on illegal immigration.
The recent large charter flight comes as efforts are being made to shut down key migration routes for Chinese migrants, including a deal with Panama to cover the costs of repatriating illegal migrants and Ecuador reinstating visas for Chinese nationals to combat irregular migration. These measures aim to address the challenges posed by Chinese migration and ensure border security in the region.
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