In recent years, a large number of Chinese people have risked their lives, "crossing the line" and smuggling into the United States. (Video screenshot)
[People News] Xiao Jing, a Chinese woman in her 30s (alias, due to fear of affecting her ability to leave China), recently paid 250,000 RMB to an agent planning to "cross the line" to the United States. “It was introduced by a successful acquaintance who helps me process a Japanese visa, provides an airport pickup in Mexico, covers expenses in Mexico, and guarantees my entry to the U.S.,” she told Voice of America.
According to Voice of America, "cross-line passengers" originally referred to Chinese illegal immigrants who, due to political or economic reasons, risked crossing the Panama jungle after the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2019, ultimately reaching the southern U.S. border.
After graduating from college, Xiao Jing worked as a clerk at a small company in Chongqing, but the economic situation has been poor these past few years. Her boss first delayed wages and then laid off many employees early this year, including her. "At my age, it’s hard to find a job, and I don’t like the domestic political atmosphere," she told reporters. Unemployment was the main factor behind her desire to "run" (leave China). Additionally, identifying herself as a "liberal," she felt out of place among the "Little Pinks" (pro-government youth) around her, further prompting her desire to leave.
She said that applying for a U.S. visa would be challenging due to the long wait for interviews and strict scrutiny of income and asset documents, so she opted for a Japanese visa instead, hoping to enter the U.S. from there. The agent told her the preparation of such materials would be simple, and the lack of income proof would not be an obstacle. She has already obtained a Japanese visa and is preparing to buy her ticket to Japan.
However, in the past few days, she has new worries. From the "cross-line" group chat, she heard that if one only has a "white passport" (a passport with only a Japanese visa and no records of other countries’ visas), it’s possible to be denied entry even upon reaching Mexico. This is due to Mexican customs strictly checking those entering visa-free with other countries’ visas with the intention of illegally entering the U.S. She also heard that many who return to Japan stay near Tokyo airport, waiting for news of others' successful entries to attempt again.
She and others in the "cross-line" group closely followed the recent U.S. election. "When the vote count was ongoing, we all kept watching because if Trump is elected, we may not be able to enter or might even get deported," Xiao Jing said.
Now that the outcome is set, she hopes to enter the U.S. as soon as possible, ideally before newly elected former President Donald Trump takes office, to be released from immigration detention. "My agent told me that if I'm afraid, I should stay put in China. But I still want to try my luck," she told reporters.
Reports indicate that Trump's allies and some private sectors have been preparing for large-scale detention and deportation of illegal immigrants living in the U.S. Deportation of illegal immigrants was a major promise Trump made during his campaign.
On November 1, at a campaign rally in Henderson, Nevada, Trump said, "On the day I take office, the invasion of immigrants will end, and the rejuvenation of our country will begin."
On April 13, in a speech in Schnecksville, Pennsylvania, he specifically mentioned Chinese immigrants, saying they "are of military age, mostly male. I wonder if they’re trying to form a small army in our country?"
On Thursday (November 6), a federal judge appointed by Trump overturned a critical immigration policy of the Biden administration that provided a pathway to citizenship for thousands of undocumented immigrants married to U.S. citizens.
Lisa, an agent in China responsible for helping Chinese "cross-line" individuals with visas and other issues, has partners in both Mexico and the U.S. Feeling that her work falls in a "gray area," Lisa did not want to reveal her full name. She told Voice of America that she has received an unusually high number of inquiries from Chinese clients in the past few days and advised them to set out as soon as possible to enter the U.S. before Trump takes office.
U.S., Mexico, and other countries are tightening control over illegal immigration.
However, for people like Xiao Jing, the path of "cross-line" has become very difficult. The current administration of Joe Biden has already started a significant crackdown on border management this year. Starting June 5, a border safeguard mechanism was established, pausing asylum applications when daily illegal entries exceed the 2,500-person cap.
Even if they succeed in entering the U.S., they still face the risk of deportation. In June, the U.S. and China resumed cooperation on deporting illegal immigrants. For the first time since 2018, the U.S. used a large charter plane to deport Chinese nationals back to China. On October 15, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security sent out the second deportation flight.
Before this, the Mexican government had already tightened border enforcement. The National Guard, army, and personnel from the National Institute of Migration (INM) have set up new checkpoints on main roads. They have increased patrols at crossing points most used to enter the U.S. and have intercepted many "cross-line" people on their way to the U.S.-Mexico border.
Starting July 1, the U.S. provided Panama with plane ticket costs for charter or commercial flights and other assistance to deport migrants. Panama's new President José Raúl Mulino announced plans to close the Darien Gap, a crucial passage for most "cross-line" travelers.
According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection data, the number of undocumented immigrants crossing the southern U.S.-Mexico border fell sharply to about 100,000 per month in July, August, and September, significantly lower than approximately 270,000 in September of last year.
For Chinese people, the biggest challenge for "cross-line" now comes from Ecuador's suspension of its visa-free policy for China. This small South American country used to be the starting point for most Chinese "cross-line" travelers. They would begin in Ecuador and embark on a journey across more than a dozen countries, filled with danger, entering the U.S. from the U.S.-Mexico border, thus earning them the name "cross-line passengers."
"Cross-Line" Passengers Open New Routes
But Lisa, who helps Chinese people with "cross-line" routes, told reporters that the desire among Chinese to "run" has not diminished, as the reasons pushing them to embark on the "cross-line" journey have not improved. For most cross-line travelers, the main reasons for taking this risky path are China’s economic decline and lack of political freedom.
Lisa told Voice of America that the number of people in several Telegram groups she created to discuss "cross-line" issues has been increasing daily, requiring the creation of new groups, and new members continue to join. The difference is that last year, people could complete the "cross-line" journey by looking at group strategies and reading the stories of successful individuals shared online. Now, "cross-line" travelers have no choice but to rely on smugglers or agents to handle visas for Japan, the EU, Mexico, and other countries.
According to Mexico's entry policy, holders of a British visa valid for at least two years, a multiple-entry European Schengen visa, or a three-to-five-year multiple-entry Japanese visa can enter Mexico. Lisa stated that currently, entering Mexico is still relatively smooth. She showed reporters passport entry stamps of a few clients who successfully entered Mexico under her guidance.
Lisa's recommended route is flying to Tijuana, Mexico, and then climbing the wall into San Diego, USA. San Diego is close to Los Angeles, where many Chinese gather, making it convenient for them to find work and settle in the U.S. She admitted that entering the U.S. has indeed become more challenging, and the time spent in immigration detention is longer. However, many Chinese are still eager to try.
Activist Wang Zhongwei, 33, well-known in the "cross-line" community, told reporters that months ago, "cross-line" travelers were already discussing new routes through Cuba or Bolivia. But over the past few months, only a few have managed to reach the U.S. via these routes.
"As for the current detour route through Cuba, I haven’t met anyone in real life who has taken this route. Compared to before, the number of people we see in the 'cross-line' community has greatly decreased. The routes of those who enter are almost all flying from Japan to Mexico and then climbing over to the U.S.," he told reporters.
Guangxi native Guo Bin, who "crossed the line" with his 12-year-old daughter at the end of last year to reach the U.S., told reporters that everyone he knows who tried the Cuba route failed. "Some arrived in Cuba and couldn’t find local smugglers, as there’s currently no organized smuggling ring profiting from this there," Guo Bin said.
He also mentioned that in the past two or three months, very few people have started the "cross-line" journey from China, flying through Turkey to Ecuador and then crossing more than a dozen countries.
He said during the interview, "The people who can reach the U.S. border now, in these past two or three months, are mainly those who have been stranded on the route, not new departures from China. There are still many people stuck in Mexico, Ecuador, or Turkey. Some ran out of money halfway, while others were scammed by smugglers and stayed to work locally. After working for several months to save up, they continued their journey."
He told reporters that many of those on the journey hope to enter the U.S. before Trump assumes office, but due to the border's safeguard mechanism, many who reach the border still cannot enter. Among those who have entered, many are detained in immigration centers and have yet to be released. These people are anxious but helpless.
Li Xiaosan, who successfully crossed the line last year, stated that in the previous year and last year, many attempted "cross-line" travel because it didn’t require heavy reliance on smugglers or agents. If someone was adept at gathering information, they could reach the U.S. for tens of thousands, at most over 100,000 RMB, which was much cheaper than traditional smuggling fees.
"Now, coming to the U.S. costs up to $50,000 for someone to help you obtain a tourist visa. I know that’s the price the smugglers are charging. This business originally thrived with Fujianese people; when 'cross-line' became difficult, their business boomed again. $50,000 to cover everything and get you straight to the U.S.," he told reporters.
Chinese Settled in the U.S. Worry About Deportation After Trump’s Victory
With Trump winning the election and set to re-enter the White House, even some "cross-line" travelers who have settled in the U.S. fear being deported to China.
Wang Zhongwei, who actively participates in political activities after arriving in the U.S., told reporters: "The moment the election results came out, the new immigrant community immediately exploded with concern. Many people started worrying. I also have some concerns and am keeping an eye on upcoming policies. His (Trump’s) rhetoric about large-scale deportations has affected everyone without formal status, including 'cross-line' travelers and those seeking asylum on visas."
Applying for political asylum usually involves two steps: first, the preliminary hearing, with an average wait time of about three years; second, the individual scheduling hearing, with a wait time of less than five years. Currently, Wang Zhongwei has passed the preliminary hearing, and their individual scheduling hearings are set for next February. Their cases have progressed relatively quickly and smoothly, but Trump’s election brings many uncertainties.
Guo Bin, who was once separated from his daughter and struggled to afford the daily rent for a shared room, has now become a restaurant manager, putting his chef experience in China to good use. He proudly said, "Work is not an issue now. I'm not afraid of hardship and willing to endure, so work isn’t a problem, and survival isn’t a problem. Now, I’m a manager at a food shop and plan to promote Guilin rice noodles and luosifen (snail noodles)."
Guo Bin told reporters: "Even if we aren't deported, the waiting time for work permits, court dates, court approval rates, and future green card and family reunion applications are expected to become more difficult and prolonged."
Dissident Li Xiaosan, who was repeatedly harassed by the Ministry of State Security in China, took on various odd jobs after "crossing the line" and now runs a translation company in New York, holds a real estate license, and has bought a motorcycle. His income is stable, and life is on track. Li Xiaosan has also passed the preliminary hearing, with his individual hearing scheduled for next April.
For some cross-line travelers, the possibility of political persecution upon being deported back to China is also a concern. Li Xiaosan said: "My tweets criticizing Xi Jinping are enough to get me convicted if I go back. My mother and wife have both been approached; they came last year when Xi visited the U.S., and during the New Year as well."
Li Xiaosan told reporters that he really likes the U.S., has made efforts to integrate into various ethnic communities, and has taken many exams for self-improvement. When riding his motorcycle, American locals often express curiosity, and he shares his story of journeying from China and takes pictures with them.
On the X platform, some are already helping these Chinese "cross-line" immigrants write open letters to Trump, pleading with him not to deport them. Signatures are currently being collected.
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