U.S. Threatens China With Visa Sanctions Over Deportations

The United States government is threatening to impose visa sanctions and travel restrictions on China due to Beijing's refusal to cooperate in repatriating illegal immigrants. U.S. officials state that China scaled back its efforts over the last six months, despite accepting roughly 3,000 deportees in early 2025. Washington is demanding travel documents and the approval of U.S.-funded charter flights for more than 100,000 undocumented Chinese nationals currently in the U.S., 30,000 of whom have final court orders for removal.

Potential retaliatory measures include denying more visas, increasing cash bonds for visa applications, and blocking entries at the border. U.S. officials specifically highlighted the presence of 1,500 detained individuals who have committed additional crimes, while critics argue the previous administration under Joe Biden failed to pressure China to accept criminal migrants.

These diplomatic tensions precede a scheduled visit by President Donald Trump to Beijing on May 14-15. During the trip, Trump is expected to meet President Xi Jinping to discuss the repatriation of citizens alongside trade concessions and the global energy impacts of the ongoing Iran war.