A Chinese illegal immigrant was arrested Wednesday after he allegedly drove onto a Marine base in California and refused to leave. U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents reported the man was taken into custody after illegally entering the base in Twentynine Palms.
Officials further confirmed the suspect is not in the U.S. legally.
USBP Chief Patrol Agent Gregory K. Bovino posted on X, formerly Twitter, that facts are still being uncovered as to what the man’s intentions were. “His purpose & intent behind his actions are still being investigated.”
BP agents responded to a call from the Marine Corp Base about a #Chinese national who entered the base w/o authorization, ignoring orders to leave. Subject was confirmed to be in the country illegally.
His purpose & intent behind his actions are still being investigated. pic.twitter.com/vaKmWSkLm9
— USBP Chief Patrol Agent Gregory K. Bovino (@USBPChiefELC) March 29, 2024
The Daily Mail reported there have been a shocking number of incidents involving Chinese nationals encroaching on secure U.S. military bases. Over 100 such encounters have been reported in the last few years.
The Wall Street Journal revealed that Chinese nationals pretended to be tourists and then broached a missile launch site in New Mexico in 2023.
Another alarming incident occurred in Florida near a rocket launch site. Chinese suspects allegedly pretended to be simply scuba divers to get close to the sensitive location.
Yet another group from the communist nation explained that they were staying at an Alaskan Army base.
That group of Chinese nationals attempted to pass themselves off as tourists who were lost. They claimed to be looking for a McDonald’s or Burger King adjacent to the military installation.
U.S. officials believe that Chinese immigrants are many times “pressed into service.” Under pressure from communist agents they are required to report their findings to Beijing.
The Journal reported that federal agencies including the FBI and Defense Department are well aware of the infiltrations onto military bases. Several meetings have been held to discuss the dangers posed by these foreign nationals.
Those who are caught trespassing are generally cited by authorities and face small fines. They are also asked not to return, as encroaching on these installations is not generally a federal crime.
The Chinese embassy in Washington D.C. naturally threw cold water on the report. Spokesperson Liu Pengyu said the U.S. is acting in a “Cold War mentality.”
Liu added that authorities should “stop groundless accusations and do more things that are conducive to enhancing mutual trust between the two countries and friendship between the two peoples.”
