A Chinese illegal immigrant was arrested in California after entering a Marine Corps base without authorization and ignoring orders to leave. Border Patrol’s El Centro Sector Chief Patrol Agent Gregory Bovino said that the agents responded to a call from the base regarding a Chinese national who had entered the base without permission and failed to comply with orders to leave. The individual attempted to access the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms without a valid ID. Despite being prompted to exit the base by security, the individual continued onto the installation without authorization and was detained by military law enforcement. The base then contacted Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the individual was taken into custody.
CBP reported that Border Patrol agents responded to a report of a suspected Chinese national who had driven onto the base without authorization. The agents confirmed that the man was a Chinese national who was illegally present in the U.S. The individual’s purpose and intent behind his actions are still under investigation. There have been over 22,000 encounters of Chinese nationals at the southern border since October 1, a significant increase from previous years. Concerns have been raised by officials and Republican lawmakers that individuals entering from China could pose a national security threat due to documented instances of espionage activities.
Some officials and Republican lawmakers have raised concerns about the potential for Chinese nationals to engage in espionage activities or cyber-attacks against critical infrastructure, government agencies, or private sector entities. However, other migrants have stated that they are simply trying to make a better life for themselves and their families in the U.S. Despite language barriers and unfamiliarity with the country, many migrants are hopeful for a brighter future in the U.S. One migrant expressed a desire for a good life and quality education for their children in the United States.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) does not comment on sensitive law enforcement matters, but emphasizes that it works closely with law enforcement, intelligence, and federal partners to identify individuals who may pose a threat to national security or public safety. CBP enforces consequences for those who enter the U.S. illegally, including removal, a minimum five-year bar on reapplying for admission, and potential criminal prosecution for subsequent unauthorized re-entry. The agency is committed to enforcing U.S. immigration laws while also expanding lawful pathways for immigration.
CBP leverages available resources and partnerships to efficiently vet and process migrants in accordance with the law. The agency emphasizes the importance of enforcing consequences for those who cross the border unlawfully and works to strengthen enforcement measures while also expanding legal pathways for immigration. CBP continues to work with law enforcement, intelligence, and federal partners to identify individuals who may pose a threat to the national security and public safety of the United States.
