US Official: Washington Prepared to Impose Visa Sanctions on China, Urging Stronger Repatriation Cooperation
A senior US official warned that Washington is prepared to increase travel restrictions on Chinese citizens if Beijing does not enhance cooperation in repatriating its citizens illegally staying in the US. This comes ahead of President Trump's visit to Beijing.
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- 📰 Published: May 5, 2026 at 16:15
- 🔍 Collected: May 5, 2026 at 16:31 (16 min after Published)
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency, Washington, May 5, comprehensive foreign report) A senior official in the US President Trump's administration told Reuters that China is slowing down the repatriation process for its citizens illegally staying in the US, warning that if Beijing does not change its approach, Washington is prepared to strengthen travel restrictions on Chinese citizens.
The report pointed out that this new threat from the US to China comes just before Trump's scheduled visit to Beijing from May 14 to 15. It is expected that he will raise issues including immigration repatriation when he meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
This is an important visit for Trump, as he hopes to secure concessions from Beijing on trade, which would be an achievement before the November midterm elections. Poll results indicate that the Republican Party may lose in the midterm elections.
Since returning to the White House early last year, Trump has threatened numerous countries with high tariffs and sanctions if they do not accept citizens expelled by the US. This is one of the main axes of his campaign promises and tough immigration policy.
Beijing has resisted the US request to accept tens of thousands of its citizens who have overstayed their visas or entered illegally for many years.
After Trump took office, China once stated its willingness to repatriate "confirmed Chinese citizens" after identity verification. However, Beijing emphasized that the relevant procedures take time.
An unnamed senior US official pointed out that China received approximately 3,000 repatriated individuals through chartered and commercial flights in early last year, but has scaled back cooperation in the past six months.
The official stated that China, citing the violation of China's international obligations and responsibilities to its own people, "refuses to fully cooperate with the United States in receiving its own citizens."
The official further pointed out that if China does not strengthen repatriation cooperation, the United States will consider increasing the bond for visa applications, refusing to issue more visas, and denying entry to more people at the border.
This official said: "If the Chinese government continues to be inactive, it will endanger the future travel plans of law-abiding Chinese citizens."
The Chinese Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Beijing has consistently stated its opposition to illegal immigration in the past, calling it an "international issue that requires cooperation from all countries."
This official stated that there are currently over 100,000 undocumented Chinese citizens in the United States, of whom over 30,000 have received final deportation orders, and among them, over 1,500 have been detained awaiting repatriation. Most of those detained are also involved in other crimes.
The Migration Policy Institute, a Washington think tank, stated that as of mid-2022, there were as many as 239,000 undocumented Chinese immigrants in the United States. (Edited by Ho Hung-ru) 1150505
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(Central News Agency, Washington, May 5, comprehensive foreign report) A senior official in the US President Trump's administration told Reuters that China is slowing down the repatriation process for its citizens illegally staying in the US, warning that if Beijing does not change its approach, Washington is prepared to strengthen travel restrictions on Chinese citizens.
The report pointed out that this new threat from the US to China comes just before Trump's scheduled visit to Beijing from May 14 to 15. It is expected that he will raise issues including immigration repatriation when he meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
This is an important visit for Trump, as he hopes to secure concessions from Beijing on trade, which would be an achievement before the November midterm elections. Poll results indicate that the Republican Party may lose in the midterm elections.
Since returning to the White House early last year, Trump has threatened numerous countries with high tariffs and sanctions if they do not accept citizens expelled by the US. This is one of the main axes of his campaign promises and tough immigration policy.
Beijing has resisted the US request to accept tens of thousands of its citizens who have overstayed their visas or entered illegally for many years.
After Trump took office, China once stated its willingness to repatriate "confirmed Chinese citizens" after identity verification. However, Beijing emphasized that the relevant procedures take time.
An unnamed senior US official pointed out that China received approximately 3,000 repatriated individuals through chartered and commercial flights in early last year, but has scaled back cooperation in the past six months.
The official stated that China, citing the violation of China's international obligations and responsibilities to its own people, "refuses to fully cooperate with the United States in receiving its own citizens."
The official further pointed out that if China does not strengthen repatriation cooperation, the United States will consider increasing the bond for visa applications, refusing to issue more visas, and denying entry to more people at the border.
This official said: "If the Chinese government continues to be inactive, it will endanger the future travel plans of law-abiding Chinese citizens."
The Chinese Embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Beijing has consistently stated its opposition to illegal immigration in the past, calling it an "international issue that requires cooperation from all countries."
This official stated that there are currently over 100,000 undocumented Chinese citizens in the United States, of whom over 30,000 have received final deportation orders, and among them, over 1,500 have been detained awaiting repatriation. Most of those detained are also involved in other crimes.
The Migration Policy Institute, a Washington think tank, stated that as of mid-2022, there were as many as 239,000 undocumented Chinese immigrants in the United States. (Edited by Ho Hung-ru) 1150505
Stand with the facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download CNA's "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
Text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.