In a think tank seminar, Todd Bensman, a senior national security researcher at the US Immigration Studies Center, stated his belief that the People’s Liberation Army of China has definitely sent military personnel into the United States through various channels.
Over the past few years, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of immigrants entering the United States through the US-Mexico border, including a significant number of Chinese individuals.
Bensman, speaking at a seminar of the Committee on the Present Danger: China on November 8th, mentioned, “In May of this year, a large number of Chinese citizens crossed the border into the United States. In the previous 15 months, approximately 50,000 people entered. Since then, the number has significantly increased. Today, the figure is approaching 80,000. 80,000 Chinese adults, most of whom are single, crossing the southern border.”
“If I were the Chinese Communist Party, I would see this as a rare opportunity; if I were involved in intelligence work, this would be a ‘gift from the heavens’.”
Bensman pointed out that currently, the US has not captured any Chinese intelligence operatives entering through the border. He noted, “This takes time, keep in mind they are trained and not easily caught.”
“These people are not coming for jobs such as dishwashing or lawn care. Chinese immigrants who cross the Darien Gap are well-equipped, resourceful, holding large amounts of cash, and stylishly dressed with fashionable hairstyles.”
“Many of them never want to speak. They are well-trained.”
Bensman believes that most of the Chinese border crossers are simply aspiring to the American system, hoping to live in the US.
He said, “I have seen many Chinese immigrants at the border. I have tried to talk to them. Economically, they belong to the upper echelon of immigrants. They have money to make their way to the border.”
“But I think most of them are just ordinary economic immigrants, the elite of the Chinese economy, who may just want to live here in the US because we have a better system.”
“Having said that, although we have not encountered this yet, it is a spy threat. The People’s Liberation Army is definitely sending male soldiers (through border crossings) here. Female soldiers from the PLA are certainly here too.”
Bensman called for the closure of the Darien Gap located at the border of Panama and Colombia.
He stated, “The Darien Gap must be closed to all immigrants. I have just returned from there. I spent a week in Panama, a week in Colombia, been on both sides. I met Chinese people passing through there.”
“The Chinese Communist Party is actively engaging in espionage against us, leveraging legal visa systems, student visas, scholar visas, and exploiting our weak screening processes to enter our research institutions and colleges. Our colleges are dedicated to cutting-edge technology and dual-purpose defense research. (Chinese spies) leak all this to China (CCP).”
Bensman believes that the US needs to begin a massive expulsion of illegal immigrants who have entered the country in recent years.
“We need to start identifying those Chinese Communist Party personnel who have caused us immense harm.”