Surge of Chinese Nationals Crossing Southern Border Raises National Security Concerns

According to internal U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data obtained by Fox News, there has been a significant surge in the number of illegal immigrants crossing into the United States via the San Diego sector, particularly from countries of potential national security concern. This surge has raised concerns about border security and the vetting process for individuals entering the country.

Increased Illegal Immigration

Since the beginning of Fiscal Year 2024 on October 1st, nearly 140,000 illegal immigrants have crossed into the San Diego sector. Among these, thousands have been classified as "special interest aliens," originating from countries with potential national security concerns.

Concerning Trends

Notably, the San Diego sector has encountered citizens from various countries, including 2,500 individuals from the West African country of Mauritania, 2,500 from Uzbekistan, 1,600 from Afghanistan, 850 from Russia, 500 from Tajikistan, 400 from Kyrgyzstan, and 6,100 from Turkey. Additionally, there have been encounters with illegal immigrants from a wide range of countries such as Vietnam, Georgia, Senegal, Cameroon, Nepal, Romania, Ethiopia, Colombia, China, Mexico, Brazil, Ecuador, Guinea, India, Guatemala, and Peru.

Overall, the data reveals that there have been more than 961,000 migrant encounters in Fiscal Year 2024, following a record-setting 2.4 million encounters in fiscal 2023. While December saw a record 301,000 encounters, the numbers dropped sharply to 176,000 in January.

National Security Concerns

The presence of individuals from "special interest countries" has raised national security concerns, leading to calls for additional vetting by federal authorities after these individuals are apprehended by Border Patrol. The significant number of encounters from countries with potential national security implications underscores the need for vigilance and thorough screening processes to ensure the safety and security of the United States.

Policy Considerations

Amidst these developments, there are reports that President Biden's administration is considering using provisions of federal immigration law previously utilized by former President Trump to address the situation at the southern border. This deliberation comes in the wake of the collapse of a bipartisan bill that aimed to address border security spending along with aid for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan.

Political Implications

The exploration of potential policy avenues by the Biden administration reflects the significant political pressure on immigration and border security issues, which have been prominent concerns since Biden took office.