A senior US administration official has accused China of slowing its efforts to take back Chinese nationals living illegally in the United States, escalating tensions between Washington and Beijing just days before President Donald Trump’s scheduled visit to Beijing on May 14–15. The official warned that the United States could respond with stricter visa measures if China does not increase cooperation on deportations.
According to the official, China has reduced its cooperation over the past six months after initially accepting around 3,000 deportees via charter and commercial flights earlier in 2025. The US claims Beijing is now refusing to fully cooperate in verifying and issuing travel documents needed for removals, which Washington says is delaying deportation processes. The official described the situation as a failure to meet international responsibilities, and said it undermines efforts to enforce immigration law.
The dispute is expected to be raised during Trump’s upcoming meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, where broader economic and trade issues are also on the agenda. The visit is seen as politically significant for Trump, who is seeking trade concessions that could bolster his domestic standing ahead of upcoming US elections. Immigration enforcement, particularly deportations, remains a central pillar of his administration’s policy agenda.
The administration has indicated it is prepared to escalate pressure if Beijing does not change course. Proposed measures include higher visa application bonds, expanded denials of entry, and broader travel restrictions targeting Chinese nationals. Officials argue that continued non-cooperation could affect ordinary Chinese citizens seeking to travel to the United States.
US authorities estimate that more than 100,000 undocumented Chinese nationals are currently living in the country, with over 30,000 already subject to final removal orders. More than 1,500 individuals in this group are currently detained while awaiting deportation, many of whom allegedly have criminal records. Independent estimates, including from migration research groups, suggest the total population of undocumented Chinese migrants may be significantly higher.
Washington has long accused Beijing of delaying or limiting the issuance of travel documents required for deportations, a charge China has previously rejected. Chinese officials have maintained that they oppose illegal migration but argue that repatriation processes require coordination and verification. US officials also allege that China has at times sought to link deportation cooperation with unrelated extradition requests involving individuals who fled to the United States.
