As the United States commemorates the 80th anniversary of the repeal of the Chinese Exclusion Act, a notable influx of Chinese immigrants is observed at the U.S.-Mexico border, reminiscent of historical migration patterns. During the first nine months of this year, over 24,000 unauthorized Chinese migrants crossed the border, marking a staggering 13-fold increase compared to the same period in the previous year, according to data from the U.S. Border Patrol.
Zhongwei Wang, who recently made this challenging journey with his family, shared his motivations, citing the lack of economic opportunities, a stagnating Chinese economy, and frustration with government restrictions. Scholars, including Madeline Y. Hsu, a history professor at the University of Maryland, underscore the discontent among Chinese citizens and their pursuit of opportunities in the United States.
Wang’s journey, spanning from China’s Anhui province to the U.S.-Mexico border, involved navigating through Central America, including the perilous Darien Gap between Colombia and Panama. The family faced hardships, reflecting the determination of those without the means to secure a visa through legal channels.
The push factors for these migrants extend beyond economic considerations. Some, like Wang, highlight their objection to China’s COVID-19 lockdown policies and human rights records. Even after arriving in the U.S., Wang continued his activism against the Chinese government, facing repercussions that reached his family in China.
Renata Castro, an immigration lawyer based in Florida, explains that contemporary Chinese migrants, unable to secure visas, are resorting to alternative routes, including seeking asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border. Many are fleeing perceived oppressions by the Chinese government and the economic challenges within China.
The Chinese Exclusion Act, a historic legislative milestone passed in 1882, specifically targeted the Chinese community. President Franklin D. Roosevelt repealed the act on December 17, 1943, granting Chinese Americans equal citizenship rights. Despite this historical context, the current wave of Chinese immigrants faces a different landscape, with asylum-seeking becoming a common avenue for those without authorized entry.
Chinese migrants crossing the border without authorization often wait for U.S. Border Patrol agents to pick them up. The immigration court system, burdened with a backlog, takes approximately five years to decide cases. Data from Syracuse University’s Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse indicates a high asylum grant rate for Chinese migrants in immigration courts, with nearly 67% receiving asylum over the past two decades.
The reasons behind this trend, as noted by the Christian nonprofit ChinaAid, include deteriorating human rights conditions, increased accessibility to information on social media about crossing the U.S.-Mexico border, and restrictions on religious freedom in China. Out of 108,273 Chinese migrant applications, 77,711 were granted asylum, while 29,635 faced denials, and 927 received other forms of immigration relief.
