Washington D.C. — As the United States commemorates the 80th year since the Chinese Exclusion Act was abolished, a significant influx of Chinese immigrants is being observed at the U.S.-Mexico frontier. These individuals are seeking new opportunities, echoing the motivations that their predecessors had over a hundred years ago.
Zhongwei Wang and his family embarked on this arduous journey during the spring season, traversing Central America. “Discovering a path to depart from China brought me immense happiness,” he expressed.
Data from the U.S. Border Patrol indicates that from January to September, the border has seen over 24,000 unauthorized Chinese migrants—a figure that surpasses last year’s count for the same period by thirteenfold.
“They’re encountering limited prospects back home. With the Chinese economy hitting a plateau and the government’s tight grip causing widespread discontent, many are investigating ways to reach the United States,” explained Madeline Y. Hsu, a history professor at the University of Maryland.
In a striking image captured on October 24, 2023, a group of migrants, many hailing from China, are seen walking alongside a border wall after crossing into the U.S. from Mexico, near Jacumba, California.
The Wang family’s odyssey began in China’s Anhui province and led them to the U.S. They made the decision to leave due to stringent COVID-19 lockdowns and concerns over human rights. Their route took them from Hong Kong to Turkey, then to Quito, Ecuador—a country that allows Chinese passport holders a 90-day visa exemption.
Their trek included navigating the perilous Darien Gap, a notorious jungle stretch between Colombia and Panama, which saw a surge of migrant crossings in 2022. “On the very first day, we faced the challenge of ascending four hills,” Wang recounted. His wife carried their 14-month-old son, and his mother, in frail health, struggled but received assistance from another migrant.
Wang had initially intended to apply for a U.S. tourist visa but was deterred by a waiting period exceeding six months for an interview. Despite his opposition to China’s policies and subsequent protests in the U.S., which led to his family being intimidated back in China, Wang remains resolute. “We must continue to voice our dissent abroad, to show that intimidation will not silence us,” he declared.
The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, now observed as a discriminatory law that targeted a specific ethnic group, was annulled by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on December 17, 1943. This move finally extended equal citizenship rights to Chinese Americans.
Renata Castro, an immigration attorney based in Florida, notes that Chinese migrants today are seeking alternate routes to escape their homeland, including presenting themselves at the U.S.-Mexico border to request asylum. “These individuals are primarily escaping repression in China, but also the bleak economic prospects they face there,” she stated.
U.S. policy allows individuals who have faced or fear persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or group membership to seek asylum, regardless of their immigration status. However, one must be physically present in the U.S. to apply.
Unauthorized Chinese migrants often surrender to U.S. Border Patrol agents and, after processing, many are given court dates and released to cities near their intended destinations, contributing to an already backlogged immigration court system with a five-year case resolution timeframe.
Research from Syracuse University’s Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse shows that in the past two decades, Chinese migrants have been granted asylum nearly 67% of the time—one of the highest rates among nationalities. Factors contributing to this include deteriorating human rights conditions, increased access to information about crossing the U.S.-Mexico border via social media, and restrictions on religious freedom.
Out of 108,273 Chinese migrant applications analyzed, 77,711 were granted asylum. Meanwhile, 29,635 were denied, and 927 received other forms of immigration relief.
*This report includes contributions from Tracy Wen Liu.
As the 80th anniversary of the Chinese Exclusion Act’s repeal is marked, a significant increase in Chinese immigration to the U.S. is noted, with over 24,000 Chinese migrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border unauthorized from January to September, a dramatic rise from the previous year. Many are driven by economic stagnation and political frustrations in China.
Zhongwei Wang’s family journeyed from Anhui province to the U.S. through Central America, facing challenges like navigating the Darien Gap. They sought to avoid China’s strict COVID-19 lockdowns and human rights issues. Despite threats from Chinese authorities against his family back home, Wang continues to protest against the Chinese government from the U.S.
The article also reflects on the history of the Chinese Exclusion Act, which once targeted a specific ethnic group and was repealed in 1943, granting Chinese Americans equal citizenship rights. Today, Chinese migrants often seek asylum at the U.S.-Mexico border due to oppression and limited economic prospects in China. Those who enter the U.S. without authorization generally aim to apply for asylum; Chinese migrants have historically had a high rate of asylum approvals in U.S. immigration courts.
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