(NewsNation) — Chinese migrants are now the fastest-growing demographic crossing the southern border into the U.S., and they’re using social media platforms to help them.
Customs and Border Protection data reveals more than 24,000 encounters with Chinese nationals at the southern border in the fiscal year 2023, up from 2,100 in 2022 and 450 in 2021.
This year, there have already been more than 18,000 encounters, setting a rate that could surpass last year’s record, according to CBP.
A former Border Patrol agent told NewsNation that videos on social media platforms demystify the process for entering the U.S.
According to a report from CBS’ “60 Minutes,” some migrants are using Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, to cross the border.
Various factors could contribute to this increase in migrants from China.
Terrell County, Texas Sheriff Thaddeus Cleveland, a former Border Patrol officer, told NewsNation he believes people are coming to escape life in China. They fly through Ecuador due to the no visa requirement, then travel to the Texas-Mexico border.
He said much of their knowledge on how to do this circulates on social media.
“Various platforms have become an enormous tool in aiding illegal aliens trying to enter the U.S., whether they are coming illegally trying to abscond or whether they are surrendering at the border and claiming asylum,” Cleveland said.
According to the Department of Justice, more than 50% of Chinese asylum applications were granted asylum in FY 2023, compared with the 14% average across all nationalities.
NewsNation contacted CBP for comment and is awaiting a response.