Fear has been the driving force behind the exodus of Chinese individuals from their homeland. They have traversed oceans, continents, rainforests, and mountains in search of safety and opportunities in the United States. As the possibility of Donald Trump’s second presidency draws nearer, Chinese asylum seekers find themselves gripped by fear once more.
Donald Trump, who will assume office once again on January 20, has made a strong commitment to conducting large-scale deportations with the support of the military. This promise has been a central theme in his speeches, as he directed his rhetoric towards undocumented immigrants during his campaign, which ultimately played a significant role in his triumph.
The future of Beijing critics and individuals concerned about persecution in China remains uncertain.
Huang Haimin, 42, who arrived in the United States in early 2023, expressed his concerns about the potential repercussions for his family and himself if he were to be repatriated. He emphasized the disastrous impact it would have on their lives.
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“I’m not just worried; I’m truly fearful,” he confided to AFP. “The feeling of fear has been a constant companion throughout my life in my home country, and now it has found its way here as well.”
Huang made the decision to leave China when he started to sense that he might encounter problems with the authorities. This was mainly due to his participation in gatherings with critics of Beijing’s zero-Covid policy, which was a cause for concern at that time.
He, like many others, researched his journey on Douyin, which is China’s version of TikTok.
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After traveling for several months, he finally arrived in the United States. His journey took him through Turkey and Panama, before he reached Mexico and successfully crossed the border.
“It was quite a challenging journey,” Huang, who now resides in Brooklyn, shared about his experience traversing the treacherous mountainous roads for two days. He specifically mentioned the arduous trek through the Darien Gap, an untamed rainforest that connects Colombia and Panama.
In 2023, he joined the wave of Chinese immigrants who entered the United States unlawfully through Mexico. That year, authorities encountered over 37,400 Chinese migrants, a significant increase from the 3,800 encountered in 2022.
Trump expressed concerns during his campaign last year that “military age” men from China were attempting to establish an “army in our country,” despite the fact that the numbers have declined in recent months.
Ma Ju established a private shelter in Queens, New York, which has become a popular destination for many Chinese immigrants.
In early 2023, he remembers receiving daily contact from two to three new undocumented arrivals from China. This was a significant increase compared to the 20 to 30 requests for help he used to receive on an annual basis.
Since moving to the United States in 2019, Ma has been vocal about Beijing’s human rights record, particularly in northwestern Xinjiang where Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities have been reported to be detained.
According to him, the majority of the individuals who come here have managed to maintain a stable and balanced lifestyle.
He was referring to the act of immigrating to the United States by traveling through South America, often by crossing the Mexico border on foot.
“I wasn’t able to make arrangements for their accommodation,” he added. “I realized it was time to find a house.”
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Since opening the shelter, he has estimated that he has taken in over 350 migrants. The durations of their stays have varied, with some staying for as short as three days, while others have stayed for over a year.
In addition to the majority Han ethnic group, China also boasts a diverse population that includes Christians and sizeable communities from various Muslim minority groups.
Ma expressed her concern for others, stating, “Everyone worries, and I worry for them,” in regard to potential deportations under the Trump administration.
He assists new immigrants in seeking legal counsel as they navigate the process of applying for asylum. A considerable number of them are still awaiting court decisions on their applications.
He reassured them, saying that there’s no need to be overly fearful, emphasizing the importance of America’s division between the judiciary and political branches of government.
At present, a number of individuals seeking asylum are granted entry into the country, while they await their court hearings for their cases.
Kurbanjan Barat, a 41-year-old shelter resident, remains hopeful despite his journey from Xinjiang to Turkey and eventually seeking refuge in the United States.
According to the individual interviewed by AFP, there is no belief that Uyghur refugees who have sought asylum in the United States will be deported by Trump.
He believes that Washington will not hand over human lives that have survived and escaped danger to an oppressive regime.
However, Yang Qinxue, aged 36, expresses concerns about the rapid actions that Trump may take in regard to immigration.
He shared his experience of entering the country with his family by traveling through Europe to Mexico and then crossing the border.
According to him, dealing with illegal immigrants might be a priority for Trump as it greatly impacts public sentiment.
Yang expressed that he would face significant challenges if he were compelled to depart from the United States due to his online criticism of the Chinese authorities.
He expressed his determination to learn from the locals with humility.
“I feel more secure due to New York’s open and inclusive stance.”
