US-China tensions are set to rise once again as the Trump administration plans to impose more restrictive travel restrictions on Beijing over the migrant dispute.
As reported reuters Based on information provided by a senior Trump administration official, the decision to impose the visa ban comes as China is slowing down its efforts to bring back Chinese citizens living illegally in the US.
President Donald Trump is expected to meet Xi Jinping as planned on May 14-15. He will raise this issue during the meeting with his counterpart.
When Trump took office, China showed willingness to repatriate “confirmed Chinese nationals” after verification. As of early 2025, approximately 3,000 deportees were repatriated to China via charter and commercial flights.
According to the American official, it has been six months since Beijing has reduced the scope of its cooperation in this matter.
“China refuses to fully cooperate with the United States to take back its nationals,” the official said, calling it “a violation of China’s international obligations and responsibility to its people.”
Given the lack of cooperation on the deportation issue, the US could impose stricter measures, including higher cash bonds for visa applicants and increased entry denials.
“The Chinese government’s inaction will jeopardize the future travel of law-abiding Chinese citizens,” the official said.
Beijing has previously said it opposes illegal migration, calling it “an international issue that requires cooperation between countries”.
There are more than 100,000 undocumented Chinese immigrants still present in the US. More than 30,000 people have final deportation orders, and of those, authorities have detained more than 1,500 awaiting deportation.
The Chinese Embassy in Washington has not yet responded but Beijing has previously protested against illegal migration and called for cooperation between countries to resolve this international issue.
