Lankford: Chinese Nationals Caught Running Across Border at Night — Border Crisis Beyond Central America

In January 2023, Senator James Lankford shared firsthand border observation highlighting the global scope of migration. “As I mentioned before, these are not just individuals from Central America or from Mexico. These are individuals coming from all over the world,” Lankford said. He described specific incident: “When our bipartisan CODEL was down on the border a few weeks ago, we watched two individuals that had just been picked up by mounted patrol as they were running across the border, but they were not running faster than the mounted patrol was able to catch up with them and they were able to arrest them. Those two individuals were Chinese nationals that were making their way across the border illegally at night, running from the border patrol.”

The Bipartisan CODEL

CODEL context:

Congressional Delegation — Acronym.

Bipartisan — Noted.

Border visit — Conducted.

Firsthand observation — Gained.

Recent — Few weeks prior.

The bipartisan nature of the CODEL (Congressional Delegation) added credibility. Democrats and Republicans both witnessing incidents. Not purely partisan characterization.

”Not Just From Central America or Mexico”

Geographic diversity claim:

Historical assumption — Central America focus.

Current reality — Global.

Countries expanding — Worldwide.

Border composition — Changing.

Policy implications — Different.

The claim that migration wasn’t just Central American was accurate. Border encounters had expanded to include many nationalities. This reflected global changes in migration patterns.

”From All Over the World”

Global migration:

Chinese nationals — Specific example.

Indians — Increasing.

Africans — Various countries.

Europeans — Some.

Venezuelans — Large numbers.

Russians — Present.

Border encounters included nationals from many countries. Chinese, Indian, African, Middle Eastern, and European nationals had all been encountered. This was documented pattern.

The Firsthand Observation

Firsthand observation:

Mounted patrol — Seen.

Pickup happening — Watched.

Running migrants — Observed.

Arrest occurred — Confirmed.

Specific incident — Reported.

Having firsthand observation added credibility to claims. Members of Congress actually witnessing border operations was more persuasive than second-hand reports.

”Two Individuals Running Across the Border”

Specific incident:

Two people — Caught.

Running — Active attempt.

Illegal crossing — Underway.

Mounted patrol — Catching.

Real-time — Observation.

The specific incident was concrete. Two specific individuals caught running during specific observation. This wasn’t abstract claim but documented event.

”Not Running Faster Than the Mounted Patrol”

The mounted patrol effectiveness:

Border Patrol — Mounted unit.

Horseback pursuit — Traditional.

Effective — This case.

Capture — Successful.

Enforcement success — Documented.

Interestingly, this story showed Border Patrol effectiveness. The mounted patrol caught the migrants. This was enforcement working at individual level even as broader system was overwhelmed.

”Chinese Nationals”

The Chinese nationals:

Specific identification — Made.

After arrest — Presumably.

Documentation — Verified.

Surprising — To some.

Significant — Politically.

The specific identification as Chinese nationals was significant. Chinese citizens crossing southern U.S. border raised different questions than traditional migration patterns.

”Across the Border Illegally at Night”

Nighttime crossing:

Darkness — Concealment.

Illegal method — Clear.

Awareness — Of wrongdoing.

Risk — Accepted.

Determination — Evident.

Crossing at night illegally showed awareness of doing something impermissible. This wasn’t seeking legal asylum at official port — this was attempted illegal entry.

”Running From the Border Patrol”

Fleeing from patrol:

Evasion attempted — By migrants.

Clear intent — To avoid capture.

Not seeking asylum — In standard way.

Alternative entry — Sought.

Enforcement encounter — Still occurred.

The fleeing behavior suggested migrants weren’t seeking to present legal asylum claims at border. They were attempting evasive illegal entry.

The Chinese Nationals Phenomenon

Chinese nationals at border:

Growing numbers — In 2022-2023.

Economic reasons — Various.

Political reasons — Some.

COVID aftermath — Factor.

Trade tensions — Context.

Chinese nationals at U.S. southern border was growing phenomenon. Multiple factors drove it including economic conditions in China, political pressures, post-COVID situation, and U.S.-China tensions.

The Security Implications

Security implications:

National security — Concerns.

Chinese intelligence — Potential.

Vetting — Limited.

Unknown individuals — Entering.

Defense implications — Possible.

Unknown Chinese nationals entering U.S. illegally raised legitimate national security concerns. Vetting of such entrants was limited. Potential infiltration concerns existed.

The Route

The route:

Not direct — From China.

Multi-country journey — Typical.

Ecuador entry — Common.

Through Latin America — North.

Arriving at U.S. southern border — Eventually.

Chinese nationals reaching U.S. southern border had typically taken multi-country journeys. Ecuador had emerged as common entry point to Americas. The journey through Latin America was organized.

The Smuggling Networks

Smuggling networks:

Organized — Transnational.

Fee-based — Services.

Multi-country — Operations.

Chinese-specific — Sometimes.

Cartel involvement — Common.

Human smuggling networks facilitating Chinese migration were sophisticated. Fees of tens of thousands were reported. Cartels often controlled final border crossing portions.

The Vetting Challenges

Vetting challenges:

Documentation — Often none.

Identity verification — Difficult.

Background checks — Limited.

Country cooperation — Limited.

Time constraints — Real.

Vetting Chinese nationals crossing illegally was challenging. Cooperation with Chinese authorities was limited. Background check capabilities were constrained. The situation presented security vulnerabilities.

The Political Dimensions

Political dimensions:

China as adversary — Bipartisan concern.

Border security — GOP priority.

Intersection — Powerful.

Attack material — Strong.

Voter concern — High.

The intersection of China adversary narrative and border security created powerful political combination. Both elements had bipartisan appeal and voter concern.

The Policy Questions

Policy questions:

Country-specific approaches — Needed?

Vetting enhancement — Possible?

Cooperation limits — Acknowledged?

Enforcement priorities — Adjust?

Intelligence coordination — Improve?

Policy responses to Chinese nationals at border required multiple dimensions. Enhanced vetting, better intelligence coordination, and potentially country-specific approaches were needed.

The Border Patrol Response

Border Patrol response:

Captures — Continuing.

Processing — Standard.

Detention — If possible.

Removal — Often difficult.

China cooperation — Limited.

Border Patrol was catching some Chinese nationals like those Lankford witnessed. But processing and removal was complicated by limited Chinese government cooperation on deportations.

The Asylum Claim Implications

Asylum claim implications:

Chinese applicants — Various grounds.

Political persecution — Some valid.

Economic claims — Not valid.

Process complex — Always.

Grant rates — Mixed.

Many Chinese nationals had filed asylum claims. Some had valid grounds (political/religious persecution). Others didn’t. Processing was complex and lengthy.

The Removal Challenges

Removal challenges:

China cooperation — Limited.

Deportation flights — Few.

Documentation — Required.

Diplomatic issues — Complex.

Practical limits — Real.

Removing Chinese nationals who entered illegally was practically difficult. Chinese government wasn’t always cooperative with receiving deportees. Documentation requirements were challenging.

The Historical Chinese Migration

Historical Chinese migration:

19th century — Significant.

Chinese Exclusion Act — 1882.

Modern migration — Various.

Student flows — Legal.

Current patterns — Different.

Chinese migration to U.S. had various historical phases. Current southern border crossings were different from traditional legal migration through student visas or family reunification.

The Bipartisan CODEL Significance

CODEL significance:

Both parties — Represented.

Common experience — Shared.

Bipartisan concern — Generated.

Institutional process — Legitimate.

Credibility — Enhanced.

The bipartisan nature of CODEL gave Lankford’s observations added credibility. Democratic colleagues had witnessed same incident. This elevated argument above purely partisan attack.

The Broader Migration Context

Broader context:

Global displacement — Millions.

Economic pressures — Various.

Climate factors — Growing.

Political instability — Multiple regions.

U.S. attractiveness — Continuing.

Global migration pressures were driving various nationalities to U.S. border. This was complex phenomenon not reducible to simple explanations. Policy responses required sophistication.

The Fentanyl Connection

Fentanyl connection:

Chinese precursors — Source.

Cartel distribution — Through Mexico.

Border crossings — Facilitating.

National security — Connection.

Deaths — Massive impact.

Chinese chemical companies produced fentanyl precursors that flowed through Mexican cartels to U.S. Border security and fentanyl crisis were connected. This was dimension of Chinese border issues.

The Espionage Concerns

Espionage concerns:

Chinese intelligence — Active.

Various methods — Used.

Border crossing — Potential vector.

Unvetted entry — Risk.

National security — Real concern.

Chinese intelligence activities against U.S. were documented and extensive. Whether border crossings were used for intelligence purposes was legitimate concern even without specific evidence.

The 2024 Campaign Issue

2024 campaign:

China as enemy — Consensus.

Border security — Issue.

Combination — Powerful.

Specific examples — Like this.

Attack effectiveness — High.

The combination of China concern and border security was powerful 2024 campaign material. Specific examples like Chinese nationals running at night gave concrete hook to abstract concerns.

The Media Coverage

Media coverage:

Chinese migration — Growing coverage.

Specific incidents — Cited.

National security — Framing.

Complex story — Often.

Partisan angles — Various.

Chinese migration was getting more media coverage as numbers grew. Specific incidents became media hooks. National security framing was common. Coverage was often shaped by partisan lenses.

The Biden Administration Response

Administration response:

Limited public focus — On this.

General border messaging — Used.

Specific Chinese issue — Not addressed publicly.

Classified coordination — Probably.

Strategic ambiguity — Maintained.

Biden administration’s public response to Chinese national border crossings was limited. Classified intelligence coordination likely occurred. Public messaging was general.

The Policy Gap

Policy gap:

Traditional framework — Didn’t fit.

Country-specific approach — Needed.

Intelligence coordination — Required.

Legal tools — Limited.

Reform — Needed.

Traditional immigration policy framework wasn’t fitting current Chinese migration patterns. Country-specific approaches, enhanced intelligence coordination, and legal tool adjustments were needed.

The Enforcement Success

Enforcement success:

Border Patrol — Effective individually.

Mounted patrol — Caught runners.

Arrest — Occurred.

Case — Proceeded.

System — Working at micro level.

The specific incident Lankford described showed Border Patrol working effectively. Individual enforcement success occurred even as broader system was overwhelmed.

The Processing Afterward

Processing afterward:

Detention — Possible.

Claims filed — Likely.

Legal proceedings — Begun.

Status outcome — Uncertain.

Removal difficulty — Real.

What happened to arrested Chinese nationals after capture was complex. Detention if available. Asylum claims likely. Lengthy legal proceedings. Ultimate outcomes uncertain.

The Border Community Experience

Border community experience:

Multi-nationality encounters — Common.

Non-traditional migrants — Daily.

System strain — Multi-dimensional.

Community observation — Firsthand.

Federal response — Inadequate.

Border communities increasingly encountered migrants from many countries. This wasn’t just Central American or Mexican migration anymore. The diversity created additional challenges.

Key Takeaways

• Senator Lankford shared firsthand observation from bipartisan CODEL border visit.
• Migration no longer just Central American: “These are not just individuals from Central America or from Mexico. These are individuals coming from all over the world.”
• Specific incident witnessed: “We watched two individuals that had just been picked up by mounted patrol as they were running across the border.”
• The identification: “Those two individuals were Chinese nationals that were making their way across the border illegally at night.”
• The incident showed both border security challenge (Chinese nationals crossing) and Border Patrol effectiveness (capturing them).
• The bipartisan CODEL observation added credibility to Lankford’s broader argument about global scope of border migration.

Transcript Highlights

The following is transcribed from the video audio (unverified — AI-generated from audio).

• As I mentioned before, these are not just individuals from Central America or from Mexico. These are individuals coming from all over the world.
• When our bipartisan CODEL was down on the border a few weeks ago.
• We watched two individuals that had just been picked up by mounted patrol as they were running across the border.
• They were not running faster than the mounted patrol was able to catch up with them and they were able to arrest them.
• Those two individuals were Chinese nationals that were making their way across the border illegally at night.
• Running from the border patrol.

Full transcript: 104 words transcribed via Whisper AI.