The United States has accused China of slowing its cooperation in repatriating Chinese nationals who are in the country illegally, warning that further restrictions could be imposed if Beijing does not reverse course.
According to a senior official in the administration of Donald Trump, Washington is considering measures including tighter visa rules, higher cash bonds for applicants, and increased entry denials. The warning comes just days before Trump’s planned visit to Beijing from May 14 to 15, where the issue is expected to be raised with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The visit is seen as a crucial moment for Trump, who is seeking trade concessions from China ahead of November’s midterm elections. Immigration enforcement has been a central pillar of his administration’s policy agenda, with deportations playing a key role.
China has long resisted U.S. requests to take back nationals who have overstayed visas or entered illegally. While Beijing had earlier indicated a willingness to accept “confirmed Chinese nationals” after verification, U.S. officials say cooperation has slowed significantly in recent months.
After accepting around 3,000 deportees via charter and commercial flights in early 2025, China has scaled back its efforts over the past six months, the official said. Washington views this as a failure to meet international obligations.
“Inaction by the Chinese government will jeopardise future travel for law-abiding Chinese citizens,” the official warned, signalling potential consequences for broader mobility between the two countries.
The Chinese embassy in Washington has not responded to the latest remarks. In previous statements, Beijing has said illegal migration is a global issue requiring cooperation and has emphasised that verification processes take time.
The dispute comes amid a broader crackdown on immigration by the Trump administration, including expanded deportation drives, visa revocations, and stricter scrutiny of applicants’ backgrounds and social media activity.
The number of Chinese nationals crossing the U.S. southern border rose sharply during the previous administration, with tens of thousands entering the country amid economic pressures in China and pandemic-era visa restrictions.
U.S. officials estimate that more than 100,000 undocumented Chinese nationals are currently in the country. Of these, over 30,000 have final orders of removal, and more than 1,500 are in detention awaiting deportation, many of whom have been convicted of other offences.
Under U.S. law, countries that refuse to accept deportees can face visa sanctions. Authorities have, at times, labelled China as “recalcitrant” on this issue, a designation that allows Washington to impose punitive restrictions.
Officials also say that deportation cooperation has occasionally been linked to broader diplomatic considerations, with Beijing reportedly seeking leverage on unrelated matters, including extradition requests.
As Trump prepares for his high-stakes visit to Beijing, the deportation dispute adds another layer of complexity to already delicate U.S.-China relations, alongside trade tensions and strategic rivalry.
(with inputs from Reuters)
