Illegal immigration from China rises as immigrants cross by boat from Bahamas

Border Patrol Agents have seen an increase in the number of Chinese nationals illegally crossing the border this year. 

Here’s a look at the statistics: from October to June, Border Patrol agents apprehended more than 33,000 Chinese nationals. That’s already higher than all of fiscal year 2022 (27,756), but there are still three more months that need to be counted for fiscal year 2023.

The biggest increase is at the southern border, but there’s also an increase at the northern border. It has gone down in all other areas including the Miami sector which covers Florida. 

14,789 at the southern border this year – 1096 last year, about 7,590 at the northern border, and 11,030 in other areas including the Miami sector which covers Florida. 

But a recently revealed DHS report indicates federal law enforcement is trying to determine why some of the Chinese immigrants are now entering the United States by boat from the Bahamas. 

The Daily Caller obtained this situation report from the Department of Homeland Security’s Joint Intelligence Operations Coordination Center in South Florida which states key intelligence questions and intel gaps, including: Why are Chinese nationals opting to self-smuggle from Grand Bahama? Who are the facilitators coordinating movements between the Bahamas and Florida? And What are the locations of interest within the Bahamas that are used as staging/launch locations for smugglers? 

The situation report explained how the immigrants self-smuggled. In one case a group of six migrants purchased a boat in the Bahamas, tested it out, left a yacht club and were arrested in Palm Beach. 

So why is there an increase from China? In part – it’s the economy. It’s very hard for young people and recent college graduates in China to get jobs right now. The unemployment rate for 16-24 year olds in urban areas was more than 21 percent in June. It’s only expected to get higher as another class of students graduated in July. 

Some young people are accepting positions well below their qualifications. There’s even a growing number of young people being paid to be full time children. They help out around the house, food shop and take care of elderly family members for a monthly salary. 

In addition to fewer economic opportunities, any form of political dissidence in China can bring harsh penalties including  harassment and detainment. Straight from DC, I’m Ray Bogan.