5 GOP Senators Question Mayorkas Over Influx of Chinese Nationals at Southern Border

The lawmakers alleged that some of the more than 18,000 Chinese nationals could have ties to the PLA.

Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) speaks on border security and Title 42 during a press conference at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on May 11, 2023. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Republican senators are demanding answers from Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, over the national security threats posed by a surge in Chinese nationals illegally entering the United States via the southern border.

Led by Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), five senators wrote a letter (pdf) to Mr. Mayorkas on Sept. 20, pointing out that over 18,000 Chinese nationals have illegally crossed the southern border in fiscal year 2023. The lawmakers expressed concerns that these illegal Chinese immigrants could engage in espionage activities on U.S. soil at the direction of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).