Chinese migrants flock to U.S.-Mexico border on economic pressures

Their encounters with American authorities jumped 10-fold in 2023

20240212N chinese border crossing detained group MAIN

People from China and elsewhere who are suspected of illegally crossing the U.S.-Mexico border are detained by U.S. authorities in southern California on Feb. 4. (Photo by Masahiro Okoshi)

MASAHIRO OKOSHI, Nikkei Washington bureau chief

February 13, 2024 05:36 JST

Updated on February 13, 2024 13:22 JST

JACUMBA, California -- The number of Chinese migrants detained while attempting to enter the U.S. via Mexico has multiplied, with the desperate economic situation back home a major driver, interviews at a holding encampment in southern California show.

"We spent two and a half days walking through a rainforest -- two and a half days," said a 10-year-old boy who proudly recounted his family's life-or-death journey before crossing into the U.S. at dawn on Feb. 4.