The number of Chinese migrants detained at the border near San Diego, California, has increased by 500%, ABC 10 San Diego reports.
U.S. Border Patrol Chief Jason Owens tweeted recently that the San Diego Sector has detained 20,000 Chinese migrants so far this fiscal year.
According to a report from CBS News’ 60 Minutes, Chinese migrants are the fastest growing group of migrants crossing the southern border from Mexico into the United States. U.S. Customs and Border Protection detained 37,000 Chinese citizens attempting to illegally cross the border last year, 50 times more than two years before 2023.
Chinese citizens who spoke to 60 Minutes while attempting to cross the border offered various explanations for their journey. Some said they were looking for work. Others were searching for freedom.
Natasha Wong, president of the House of China in Balboa Park, told ABC 10 San Diego that friends and family have told her that China is still enforcing pandemic-related restrictions.
“I just heard that there are a lot of restrictions still on personal freedoms in China; things haven’t returned to normal,” Wong said.
Many Chinese migrants are seeking asylum, but there are barriers for asylum seekers.
Nora Vargas, Chairwoman of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors, told ABC 10 San Diego that the funding to help asylum seekers has run out.
“Our federal government has an obligation to address this global humanitarian crisis,” said Vargas.
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