An illegal Chinese immigrant was arrested in California on Wednesday after entering a Marine Corps base without permission and ignoring orders to leave, officials said.
Border Patrol El Centro District Chief Patrol Agent Gregory Bovino said agents responded to a call from the base about a Chinese national who had “entered the base without authorization and ignored orders to leave.”
A spokesperson for the U.S. Marine Corps Training and Education Command told Fox News Digital that the individual attempted to gain access to the Marine Corps Air-Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, Calif., without valid identification. .
“The individual entered the facility without authorization despite being directed by facility security to exit at the Condor gate. Military law enforcement was immediately alerted and took the individual into custody,” the report said. the official said.
The base then contacted Customs and Border Protection (CBP), who subsequently took him into custody. CBP said Border Patrol agents responded to a report of a Chinese suspect driving onto the base without permission.
Investigators arrived and determined the man was a Chinese national living in the United States illegally.
“The subject has been confirmed to have entered the country illegally,” Bovino said on X (formerly Twitter). “The purpose and intent behind his actions are still under investigation.”
Since Oct. 1, there have been more than 22,000 encounters with Chinese nationals at the southern border, a significant increase from 2,176 in the federal fiscal year and 450 in fiscal 2021.
China is one of more than 150 countries that represent migrants arriving at its southern border. Some officials and Republican lawmakers have expressed concern that single adults entering the country from geopolitical rivals could pose a national security threat.
A group of Republican senators warned last year that there are “numerous documented cases of Chinese nationals engaging in espionage and stealing military and economic secrets at the direction of the Chinese Communist Party.”
They said those who cross the border could include “individuals who may engage in espionage or cyberattacks against critical infrastructure, government agencies, or the private sector.”
But other immigrants told Fox they were just trying to make a better life for themselves and their families in the United States.
“My English is not very good. I don’t know anyone in the United States,” one immigrant said this month. “I know that once I get to America, I’ll have to start all over again. But I want to have a good life in the future and I want my children to get a good education. I want to take root in America as soon as possible. I will try my best to do so.”
CBP said Friday that it does not comment on sensitive law enforcement matters but works closely with law enforcement, intelligence agencies and federal partners to identify individuals who may pose a threat to national security or public safety. He said he is doing so.
The agency emphasized to Fox News Digital that it is increasing penalties for illegal immigrants.
“DHS continues to enforce U.S. immigration laws, expanding legal channels while increasing enforcement impact against people who cross the border illegally. The family members are subject to deportation pursuant to Title VIII authorities, with a minimum five-year suspension on any re-entry application, and possible criminal prosecution if they subsequently re-enter the country without authorization.” the store said in a statement. “CBP leverages all available resources and partnerships to efficiently vet and process immigrants in accordance with the law.”
