A new report from the House Committee on Homeland Security has revealed a significant surge in Chinese Communist Party (CCP) influence and espionage activities on U.S. soil under the Biden-Harris administration. The report, titled “China Threat Snapshot,” outlines a disturbing rise in illegal immigration, transnational repression, and acts of espionage linked to the CCP, with U.S. national security at increasing risk.
The report highlights the alarming increase in espionage cases associated with Chinese nationals and individuals acting on behalf of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). Since the Biden administration took office, over 55 cases of CCP-related espionage have been reported in 20 different states across the country. This marks a rapid escalation compared to previous years, and FBI Director Christopher Wray confirmed the seriousness of the threat. In his testimony, Wray revealed that the FBI opens a new case to counter CCP intelligence operations every 12 hours.
Between 2000 and 2023, a total of 224 espionage cases tied to the CCP were reported, but the recent uptick shows just how much the problem has accelerated under the current administration. The “China Threat Snapshot” report noted that the types of espionage carried out range from government and military-related intelligence to economic espionage, posing a direct threat to U.S. national interests.
One notable case included in the report was that of a former professor at two U.S. universities who was sentenced to 37 months in prison. The individual had lied to federal authorities to secure millions of dollars in grants, which were later funneled to benefit China’s medical research efforts. This case is one of many illustrating the dangerous reach of CCP-aligned individuals within the U.S. educational and research institutions.
In addition to espionage, the report delves into cases of transnational repression. It revealed that approximately 40 officers from China’s Ministry of Public Security were charged with participating in a scheme aimed at targeting Chinese dissidents living in the U.S. These officers were involved in attempts to harass, intimidate, and coerce individuals critical of the CCP to return to China. Other cases involved Chinese nationals acting as illegal agents of the PRC to recruit scientists and gather advanced aerospace technology, further exposing how deeply embedded CCP influence has become.
The issue is compounded by the sharp rise in illegal immigration from China. The Homeland Security Committee’s report noted that under the Biden-Harris administration, more Chinese nationals have crossed the U.S. southern border illegally than during any previous administration. In fiscal year 2024 alone, U.S. Border Patrol recorded over 36,000 apprehensions of Chinese nationals at the Southwest border, a figure that surpasses the combined total of such apprehensions from fiscal years 2007 to 2020.
These figures are concerning not only because of the sheer volume but because the vetting process for Chinese nationals entering the U.S. has been significantly weakened. In 2023, the Biden administration reduced the extensive 40-question vetting process down to just five basic questions, a move that experts warn has made it easier for individuals acting in the interests of the CCP to gain entry into the U.S.
The report also pointed out an alarming 8,000 percent increase in Chinese illegal immigration between March 2021 and May 2024. This raises serious concerns about the potential for espionage, human trafficking, and other illegal activities conducted by CCP agents within the U.S. Once inside, individuals tied to the CCP can engage in espionage or repression activities, such as those targeting Chinese dissidents living abroad.
In a particularly shocking revelation, it was reported that a CCP-linked officer was using Telegram, an encrypted messaging app, to instruct Chinese nationals on how to evade U.S. Border Patrol officers and successfully cross the southern border. The officer’s guidance highlights the intentional and strategic nature of these border crossings, with individuals likely being groomed for specific activities once inside the U.S.
The Homeland Security Committee’s report and statements are clear: the Biden-Harris administration’s lax border security and weakened immigration vetting processes have created vulnerabilities that the CCP is actively exploiting. The report calls for urgent action to address the influx of Chinese nationals and prevent espionage and transnational repression from spreading further across the U.S. Without a significant shift in policy, the influence and reach of the CCP in America could continue to grow unchecked.
