The official warned that Washington could tighten travel restrictions if Beijing does not accelerate the repatriation of its citizens.
The warning comes just days before Donald Trump is expected to visit China on May 14–15, where he is likely to raise the deportation issue with Chinese President Xi Jinping alongside trade discussions.
According to a report by Reuters, the visit is seen as politically significant for Trump, who is seeking concessions from Beijing on trade ahead of the November midterm elections. Opinion polls suggest his Republican Party could face substantial losses.
Since returning to the White House last year, Trump has repeatedly threatened tariffs and sanctions on countries that refuse to accept their deported citizens. The policy is a key part of his broader immigration agenda.
For years, China has resisted U.S. requests to take back thousands of its nationals who have overstayed visas or entered the country illegally. After Trump returned to power, Beijing said it would accept “verified Chinese nationals,” but noted that the process takes time.
The U.S. official said that after accepting around 3,000 returnees via chartered and commercial flights in early 2025, China has reduced cooperation over the past six months.
The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, accused China of failing to meet its international obligations and responsibilities toward its citizens.
If cooperation does not improve, the United States is considering measures such as increasing cash bond requirements for visa applicants, rejecting more visa applications, and restricting entry at the border.
“This inaction by the Chinese government risks future travel opportunities even for law-abiding citizens,” the official said.
China’s embassy in Washington did not immediately comment, but Beijing has previously stated that it opposes illegal immigration and considers it a global issue requiring international cooperation.
The Trump administration has taken a strict stance on immigration, conducting mass arrests and deportations, canceling visas and green cards, and reviewing migrants’ social media activity.
During the administration of Joe Biden, the number of Chinese nationals entering the United States illegally through the southern border rose sharply from negligible levels to several thousand, driven in part by economic challenges in China and stricter visa access during the COVID-19 period.
According to U.S. officials, more than 100,000 undocumented Chinese nationals are currently in the country, with over 30,000 under final removal orders. More than 1,500 are being held in detention pending deportation, many of whom are allegedly linked to other crimes.
Estimates vary, however. The Migration Policy Institute reported that as of mid-2022, about 239,000 undocumented Chinese migrants were living in the United States.
U.S. officials also noted that countries such as India have been cooperating fully in accepting their nationals. Washington wants Beijing to issue travel documents for deportees and allow their return on U.S.-funded charter flights.
Under Section 243(d) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, the United States can impose visa sanctions on countries deemed uncooperative in accepting deported citizens. The Department of Homeland Security has regularly classified China under this category.
U.S. officials have long accused Beijing—dating back to the administration of Barack Obama—of delaying the issuance of travel documents for deportees, either to avoid accepting them or to use the issue as leverage in negotiations with Washington.
Law enforcement officials also told Reuters that China has at times attempted to link cooperation on deportations with demands for the return of Chinese nationals accused of economic or political crimes who have fled to the United States.
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