Senator Thom Tillis | Senator Thom Tillis Official photo
Senator Thom Tillis | Senator Thom Tillis Official photo
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senators Thom Tillis, Roger Marshall (R-KS), Mike Braun (R-IN), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), and Marco Rubio (R-FL) have raised alarm over the increasing number of Chinese nationals illegally entering the United States through the open Southern border. In a letter addressed to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, the senators expressed concern that over 18,000 Chinese nationals have crossed the border in Fiscal Year 2023, with some having ties to the Chinese Communist Party's People's Liberation Army (PLA).
July witnessed a record-breaking number of nationwide encounters with Chinese nationals, surpassing 6,100. Of all Chinese national encounters this fiscal year, 94.8 percent have been single adults. The senators emphasized that this trend poses a significant threat to national security and called for immediate attention and action from the DHS.
"We write to you with concern that over 18,000 Chinese nationals have illegally crossed the southern border in Fiscal Year 2023, with some of these individuals having ties to the CCP's People's Liberation Army (PLA). July set the record for nationwide encounters with Chinese nationals with just over 6,100. 94.8 percent of Chinese national encounters in FY23 have been single adults. This trend poses a significant threat to our national security and warrants immediate attention and action from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)," the senators wrote in their letter.
The senators also expressed concern that none of the encountered Chinese nationals have been detained for any length of time but rather benefited from the catch and release policy implemented by the current administration.
Highlighting the potential risks, the senators emphasized that Chinese nationals crossing the border may include individuals who could engage in espionage activities or cyber-attacks against critical infrastructure, government agencies, or private sector entities. They cited numerous documented instances of Chinese nationals, under the direction of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), engaging in espionage and stealing military and economic secrets.
The senators demand answers from Secretary Mayorkas regarding the DHS's failure to control the border, which has allowed the CCP and other hostile foreign nationals to exploit the nation's borders.
To read the full letter, click HERE.
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