South
Chinese migrants eclipse Mexican nationals in key southern border sector
The number of Chinese migrants being encountered in a key sector of the southern border is exceeding that of Mexican nationals, a trend ongoing for years that has renewed national security concerns.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data obtained by Fox News shows that Chinese nationals are the second-largest nationality encountered at the border in San Diego Sector since the fiscal year began in October.
There have been 21,000 Chinese nationals encountered, second only to Colombia (28,000). Third is Mexican nationals with 18,000, followed by Brazil (8,700) and Ecuador (7,700). Other countries of origin include Turkey, Guinea, India, Guatemala and Peru.
7.2M ENTERED THE US UNDER BIDEN ADMIN, AN AMOUNT GREATER THAN POPULATION OF 36 STATES
Chinese migrants speak to a Border Patrol officer before being processed after they crossed the Rio Grande into the U.S. on May 5, 2022, in Roma, Texas. (Brandon Bell)
Fox reported this week that between Saturday and Monday there were 452 Chinese nationals apprehended by Border Patrol in the San Diego Sector alone — more than the entirety of FY 2021 across the whole border.
The number of Chinese nationals has been increasing since fiscal 2021. In fiscal 2022, numbers increased to more than 2,000 border-wide. In fiscal 2023, that number then surged to more than 24,314.
CHINESE MIGRANTS POURING ACROSS SOUTHERN BORDER SPARK NATIONAL SECURITY CONCERNS
Migrants are encountered by Border Patrol in San Diego Sector on February 17, 2024. (Fox News)
It’s an increase that has raised national security concerns from both Republican lawmakers and border officials — noting that China is a geopolitical foe and raises the specter of a potential avenue for espionage.
Brandon Judd, the president of the National Border Patrol Council, which represents all rank-and-file Border Patrol agents nationwide, told Fox News last week that the majority of the Chinese border-crossers are single adult males of military age.
“That is a very scary prospect. We know that China does not like us, we know that we are in the crosshairs of China,” Judd said.
Immigration activists have also noted that China is a country with a repressive government and from which citizens would naturally try to flee and seek asylum.
CHINESE ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION ON PACE TO BREAK RECORDS AT US SOUTHERN BORDER
But China is also one of a number of special-interest countries, from which nationals are supposed to see extra vetting by authorities. San Diego has seen many nationals from those countries.
Fox reported this week on CBP data that shows thousands of nationals from Mauritania, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan have arrived at the border in the San Diego Sector.
Overall, more than 140,000 illegal immigrants have been encountered in the sector since October.
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Border-wide, there have been more than 961,000 migrant encounters this fiscal year after a record-setting 2.4 million in fiscal 2023. December saw a record 301,000 encounters, followed by a sharp drop to 176,000 in January.
A confrontation between Egypt’s coaching staff and a Dallas police officer at the team’s hotel sparked a viral video ahead of a World Cup match.
Egypt coach Hossam Hassan said he considered the matter resolved after he and team director Ibrahim Hassan had a physical confrontation with a police officer at the team’s hotel in Dallas.
Video began circulating Thursday, a day before Egypt beat Australia in the round of the 32 at the World Cup, showing both men arguing with a Dallas police officer, apparently over a player preparing to take a picture with a young fan in the hotel lobby.
The officer approaches Hossam Hassan first, but his interaction with Ibrahim Hassan becomes a shoving match. Ibrahim Hassan appeared to be upset at the officer intervening.
Dallas police issued a statement saying that just before midnight, officers were responding to a request from hotel security about an individual without event credentials attempting to gain access.
“It was later learned that the individuals weren’t displaying credentials properly, which is a requirement,” Dallas police said in a statement.
The statement said the issue was resolved at the scene, and that police met with Egyptian representatives to address their concerns.
Hossam Hassan said through a translator that the team had accepted an apology from the police.
“We are really happy to be here at this tournament and we are satisfied with the security personnel that are accompanying us,” Hossam Hassan said. “I would like to point to the high-level organization we have with us and the level of security we have with us.”
Hassan is the first person to play and coach for Egypt at the World Cup. The victory over Australia came in Egypt’s debut in the knockout round of the tournament.
South Florida is gearing up for a Fourth of July celebration like no other, as the nation marks its 250th birthday.
On Fort Lauderdale Beach, the city’s annual Fourth of July Spectacular begins at noon. The free event includes a country concert with Walker Hayes at 7:30 p.m., a drone show and a fireworks display.
“Now that there’s a country concert, we’re definitely going to be here,” said Katherine Harrison, from Davie.
In downtown Miami, Bayfront Park is hosting a free all-day concert lineup that includes Ja Rule, Ashanti, Shaggy and Willy Chirino. The park’s FIFA World Cup fan zone is expanding for the 250th celebration.
“The World Cup is going on right now, Messi is in town, so I think the family is excited,” said Tito Harris, visiting from Fort Myers.
The Museum of Miami is hosting the Freedom Plane National Tour exhibit, where visitors can view an original engraving of the Declaration of Independence and other historic documents. The museum plaza will also hold a special celebration on the Fourth.
“I really do love our country despite all of its differences and celebrating this year is pretty cool because it’s 250 years,” said Barry Lee, visiting from Charlotte, North Carolina.
For a full list of Fourth of July events across South Florida, click here.
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