New high in illegal immigrants from foreign adversary amid national security concerns: 'Extremely concerning'

This fiscal year, a significant increase of nearly 8,000% has been observed in the number of Chinese nationals illegally crossing the border nationwide, compared to FY 2021.

This fiscal year, which began in October, Border Patrol has had 27,583 encounters with Chinese nationals, as updated by Customs and Border Protection.

In FY 2023, the number of employees is expected to be 24,125, which is significantly higher than the 1,987 employees in FY 2022 and the 342 employees in FY 2021.

The number of Chinese crossing illegally has increased by 7,965% from FY 2021 to FY 2024, with 85% of the 27,583 individuals being single adults.

Over 90% of crossings in FY 2024 have taken place in the San Diego sector, and there have been more than 1,200 encounters in the first eight days of May, with an average of over 150 per day.

The House Homeland Security subcommittee is holding a hearing on Thursday to discuss the unprecedented surge in Chinese illegal immigration, with concerns raised by Republicans and border officials about espionage and drug smuggling.

Democrats rejected the hearing, labeling it on their website as "a Republican border 'hearing' with invasion rhetoric and fearmongering."

This week, a committee spokesperson informed Planet Chronicle Digital that the minority anticipates Republicans will use the hearing to "employ hyperbolic and xenophobic rhetoric to scaremonger about a 'foreign invasion' at the border."

"The facts indicate that changes in Chinese migration are a result of worsening economic and political conditions in China, as well as broader global migration trends. Addressing these shifts necessitates congressional action, such as bipartisan legislation and increased funding for border security, which Republicans often reject or obstruct."

Republicans on the committee described the dismissiveness as "disappointing."

Dan Bishop, Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Accountability Chairman, stated to Planet Chronicle Digital that it is disheartening to hear the House Democrats' reaction to the hearing resemble Chinese state media more than anything else.

"The number of Chinese nationals apprehended by Border Patrol agents at our Southwest border this fiscal year has surpassed the total for fiscal years 2007-2020 combined, which should be a cause for concern for everyone, regardless of political affiliation. Unfortunately, House Democrats seem uninterested in addressing this national security threat, which is disheartening but not surprising."

The number of migrant encounters on the southern border decreased slightly in April compared to the previous month and year.