Rep. Carlos Gimenez demanded answers from immigration officials about what he called “a growing trend of Chinese nationals trying to enter the United States illegally.”
“I am writing today to express my continued concern over the border policies of the Biden Administration that are wreaking havoc on my district and my entire community,” Gimenez (R-Fla.) wrote Thursday in a letter to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, a copy of which was obtained exclusively by The Post.
“As our adversaries become more emboldened to find unique ways to exploit our vulnerabilities, it is imperative that the US Border Patrol is prepared to confront these individuals before they enter the country,” Gimenez told acting CBP Commissioner Troy Miller.
The Florida Republican cited a Miami Herald report that 19 Chinese nationals and three Ecuadorians arrived in the Florida Keys last month, pointing to more CBP data that shows the entry shows “an increasing trend.”
Florida Representative Carlos Gimenez demanded answers about the “growing trend of Chinese nationals trying to enter the United States illegally.” Getty Images
More than 52,000 Chinese nationals entered the US in fiscal year 2023, a number “far greater than the 2021 and 2022 confluences,” according to Gimenez.
“Combined with China’s aspirations to build ties with Latin American and Caribbean countries in close geographic proximity to the United States through their Belt and Road Initiative, it appears that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is trying to infiltrate our open borders for their own benefit. ,” he added.
CBP data shows 18,395 Chinese immigrants were caught trying to enter the US in 2020, 23,471 were caught in fiscal year 2021 and 27,756 in fiscal year 2022.
Gimenez wrote to acting CBP Commissioner Troy Miller (above) about his “concern over the Biden Administration’s border policies that are wreaking havoc on my district and my entire community.” AP
That number has risen steadily since President Biden took office, worrying congressional Republicans.
“We don’t know how many foreign terrorists or spies have taken advantage of Biden’s open borders to gain illegal entry into the United States,” Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) told The Post in August.
“China has become more and more brazen over the past three years, and open borders will be an easy way for Xi to send operatives into our country,” referring to Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Beijing launched a spy balloon in January that crossed American airspace from Alaska to South Carolina before being shot down by the US Air Force on February 4.
The number of Chinese immigrants arrested in the US has risen steadily since President Biden took office, worrying congressional Republicans. Getty Images Rep. Carlos Gimenez asked Miller to respond by Dec. 22. AP
White House officials also confirmed earlier this year that China has maintained a secret spy base in Cuba since at least 2019 — which has “serious national security implications,” Gimenez asserted in his letter.
The Cuban-born GOP lawmaker asked Miller to respond by Dec. 22 with details about the group coming to Florida, as well as how many Chinese nationals have applied for asylum since entering the country.
Gimenez also asked for more information about the Florida group’s travel routes, whether they have ties to the Chinese government or military and where they are being held.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
