Ecuador Ends Visa-Free Entry for Chinese Citizens

Ecuador’s New Policy

From July 1, Ecuador will end visa-free entry for Chinese citizens due to rising irregular migration.

Migration Route

Ecuador has been a key entry point for Chinese migrants traveling through South and Central America to reach the U.S. border.

Implications for Migrants

Wang Zhongwei, who arrived in the U.S. via Ecuador in May 2023, noted heated discussions among Chinese immigrants about the policy change. Encounters with Chinese nationals at the U.S. southwestern border peaked at nearly 6,000 in December 2023 but fell to over 3,600 in May.

U.S.-China Cooperation

In May, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed willingness to cooperate with the U.S. on immigration enforcement and accept repatriated Chinese nationals. U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas confirmed that China had begun accepting repatriated migrants without legal status in the U.S.

Deportations and Crackdowns

Reports indicate deportations of Chinese migrants in U.S. cities like Los Angeles. Social media influencer Teacher Li mentioned that Chinese authorities are cracking down on illegal migration and strengthening border control. The Chinese Embassy affirmed its stance against illegal migration and human smuggling.

Tighter Border Controls

Mexico has increased border controls, resulting in record immigrant arrests. Guo Bin mentioned that U.S. immigration officers work with the Mexican government to intercept migrants in central Mexico, sending them back to southern Mexico and forcing them to restart their journey, increasing costs and time.

Exploring New Routes

Despite these challenges, migrants like Wang Zhongwei and Guo Bin believe there are alternative routes. Wang highlighted routes through Cuba and Bolivia, which have more lenient entry policies for Chinese citizens.

New Risks

The distance from Cuba to Florida’s southern tip is about 150 km, a historic smuggling route. In October 2023, 17 Chinese citizens were arrested after entering Key Largo, Florida, from Cuba.

The Closing Door

Li Xiaosan, a Chinese dissident who arrived in the U.S. in February 2023, is concerned for those still trying to leave China. He believes that once Ecuador’s policy takes effect, the chances of reaching and staying in the U.S. will diminish.

“The door is closed,” Li said, adding that the question now is: “How many people can squeeze in through the cracks?”