Biden Administration's Open Border Policies Provide Unexpected Advantage to China

A recent report from the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) reveals alarming trends linking the Biden administration's open border policies with growing concerns around U.S. national security, particularly in relation to the People’s Republic of China. Between 2021 and 2024, approximately 182,000 Chinese nationals entered the United States illegally, a stark contrast to the mere 25,265 encounters recorded throughout an entire decade from 2010 to 2019. This surge in illegal immigration illuminates how strategic adversaries may exploit vulnerabilities to advance their own interests.

Dale L. Wilcox, executive director and general counsel of FAIR, highlights that illegal entries from Chinese nationals introduce a unique array of risks incompatible with typical illegal migration patterns. Unlike many other migrants seeking better lives, these individuals might be leveraged by the Chinese government to undertake espionage activities or support criminal enterprises. The notion that families back in China could be used to exert pressure on these expatriates adds an unsettling dimension to the traditional understanding of immigration risks. Wilcox articulates this concern, stating, Chinese nationals in the U.S. may be coerced to engage in espionage or drug trafficking activities, presenting grave economic and security challenges.

Compounding this issue, around 277,000 Chinese students currently hold visas in the United States, many attending prestigious education institutions. Many of them have ties to the military and are reportedly under strict scrutiny from Chinese authorities. As they navigate their studies, their obligations to their homeland could potentially position them as assets or unwitting instruments for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

While the Trump administration undertook efforts to control illegal immigration effectively, the pressing concerns regarding Chinese nationals remained unresolved. Wilcox argues that deportations pose significant challenges, particularly due to the Chinese government's reluctance to accept the return of their own citizens.

Addressing the reported issues necessitates a stringent policy shift. Wilcox urges the current administration to impose significant pressure on the Chinese government to accept deported illegal immigrants. Such measures may include the potential withholding of highly sought-after student and other types of visas. He concludes emphatically, emphasizing, All illegal immigration undermines U.S. interests, especially when it is utilized as a tactic by a foreign adversary to harm our economic and strategic aspirations.

For those wishing to delve deeper into the findings, FAIR’s report entitled, China: How America's Biggest Adversary is Weaponizing the U.S. Immigration System, can be accessed for a comprehensive understanding of these national security threats. The swift rise in illegal entries from Chinese nationals into the U.S. casts a shadow of uncertainty over national security, and warrants urgent deliberation over immigration policies, diplomatic pressures, and proactive legal frameworks to safeguard the country's interests.

As America navigates the complex realm of global relations, it becomes increasingly evident that immigration policies, while often regarded through the lens of humanitarian considerations, may also carry significant implications for national security. The ongoing dynamics require careful safeguarding against potential exploitation by foreign adversaries, particularly as geopolitical relations continue to evolve.