On November 16, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) deported 109 undocumented Chinese nationals, marking the third large-scale chartered deportation flight to China in six months. This follows previous flights in June and October, which saw 116 and 131 Chinese nationals removed, respectively.
DHS officials emphasized that the agency is committed to enforcing U.S. immigration laws and holding individuals accountable for unlawful entry. In a statement, they noted that this flight is part of an ongoing collaboration with the People’s Republic of China and other international partners to curb irregular migration and uphold immigration law.
The June deportation marked the first major chartered flight for Chinese nationals since 2018, coordinated with China’s National Immigration Administration. Since then, DHS has facilitated the return of undocumented individuals from various countries, including Colombia, Peru, and Egypt, with the total number of deportations in Fiscal Year 2024 surpassing previous years.
In addition to the deportations, Border Patrol encounters have significantly decreased by over 52% since the issuance of a proclamation in June, which temporarily suspended the entry of undocumented migrants at the southern border.
However, the deportation flights have raised concerns among human rights groups. Carolyn Nash, Asia Advocacy Director at Amnesty International USA, voiced concerns about the potential risks to vulnerable ethnic groups such as Uyghurs, as Customs and Border Protection (CBP) does not track ethnicity during deportations. Nash also highlighted issues with the CBP One app, which is designed for individuals without proper documentation to submit information for entry. According to Amnesty, the app’s lack of Chinese language options creates barriers for Chinese nationals, forcing many to cross the border illegally.
Nash pointed out that without access to the app, Chinese migrants face dangerous journeys across deserts or border walls, increasing their risk of harm. These issues underscore the difficulties faced by Chinese nationals seeking asylum in the U.S. while navigating a complex and often inaccessible immigration system.