Border Authorities Catch 328 Chinese Nationals Illegally Trying to Enter the U.S.
Jose Nino
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The Washington Examiner reported that at least 328 Chinese nationals who attempted to enter the United States illegally since January have now been caught by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials.
This apprehension is part of an increased awareness effort on the border to keep the coronavirus from spreading into America.
According to official reports, 328 Chinese were “apprehended” and sent back across the border or repatriated in accordance with current policy and procedure. Additionally, another three South Korean nationals, where the virus is also spreading, were apprehended by border authorities.
About 227 foreign nationals from other countries who attempted to enter through legal border points from February 2 through March 3 have been turned back because of travel restrictions imposed by the president and carried out by the Department of Homeland Security, officials stated.
Previously, the White House announced travel restrictions for China, saying the U.S. would keep any foreign national who’s been in China within 14 days from entering the country.
Several agencies within the DHS’s umbrella have been incorporated in President Trump’s “whole of government” attack on the virus. Additionally, more than 700 officials have been assigned to these tasks.
Senior administration officials assert that President Trump’s emphasis on border policy, the new wall, and moves to keep illegal immigrants in Mexico while waiting for permission to enter the U.S., have helped keep the virus from spreading into the U.S., especially at the southern border.
However, Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf brought forth concerns about a court challenge to the Migrant Protection Protocols policy of keeping migrants in Mexico on March 3, 2020. The coronavirus has also spread to Mexico.
“MPP has an uncertain future. We know from experience that the journey to the U.S. border puts migrants in poor conditions — and they often arrive with no passports, medical histories, or travel manifests. The administration will continue to closely monitor the virus globally, as well as in our hemisphere, and will adjust our proactive measures as necessary,” he stated.
A senior administration official added: “We have a unique public health threat posed by individuals arriving unlawfully at the border. Any halting of MPP would exacerbate that threat.”
DHS acting Deputy Secretary Ken Cuccinelli declared, “The department’s top priority is the safety of the American people, and President Trump has directed an aggressive, coordinated interagency response to fulfill that mission.”
He told the Examiner: “The American people can be assured that we’re doing everything we can to protect our homeland. While the general risk to the American public remains low, DHS has mobilized a department-wide response to keep Americans safe, secure, and informed. Fortunately, we were able to engage DHS assistance early to prevent the spread of this virus in the U.S. We remain locked arm-in-arm with our interagency partners, HHS and CDC health professionals, and state and local officials acting as one to safeguard the health and safety of the American people.”
The Examiner provided stats for some the migrants caught so far:
Illegal immigrants apprehended at the southern border since Jan. 1:
China: 328
South Korea: 3
Foreign nationals refused at land ports of entry by CBP from Feb. 2 to March 3:
Canada: 113
China: 90
India: 9
Mexico: 6
Germany: 4
Bangladesh: 2
Japan: 2
Norway: 1
Singapore: 1
The coronavirus illustrates the importance of borders and a government’s willingness to enforce them.
Without proper border enforcement a country will destabilize and its citizens could suffer from potential pandemics and other types of crises that are magnified because of globalism.
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