WASHINGTON – This weekend, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), through U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), conducted its first large removal flight of Chinese nationals to the People’s Republic of China (PRC) since 2018. This operation was closely coordinated with the PRC’s National Immigration Administration. DHS continues to collaborate with the PRC’s Ministry of Public Security and National Immigration Administration on future removal flights.
DHS enforces immigration laws and imposes strict consequences for those without a lawful basis to remain in the U.S., in line with international obligations. Following President Biden’s June 4 Proclamation temporarily suspending the entry of certain noncitizens across the Southern border, the Border Patrol’s 7-day encounter average has dropped by over 40%. DHS has conducted more than 120 international repatriation flights to over 20 countries, including this recent flight to China. Most encounters at the Southwest Border in the past three fiscal years have resulted in removal, return, or expulsion.
“We will continue to enforce our immigration laws and remove individuals without a legal basis to remain in the United States,” said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “People should not believe the lies of smugglers.”
This removal flight is part of Secretary Mayorkas’ ongoing efforts to engage the PRC on mutual interests, aiming to reduce irregular migration and disrupt human smuggling through expanded law enforcement collaboration. DHS regularly works with international counterparts to repatriate nationals without a lawful basis to remain in the U.S., reduce irregular migration, promote lawful pathways, and hold transnational criminal networks accountable. The U.S. also supports Ecuador’s recent decision to require visas for PRC passport holders to curb smuggling routes.–News Desk