Opinion

How tech firms can do their part to end migrants’ suffering

The plight of US-bound Chinese migrants duped by false information on social media highlights how people smugglers prey on those seeking a better life

Tech companies must work with governments and civil society organisations to remove misinformation online that promotes illegal activity

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Undocumented immigrants from China stand in front of US Border Patrol agents at the US-Mexico border in Jacumba Hot Springs, California, on January 23. Photo: Kyodo

Mohammed Sinan Siyech completed his doctoral degree from the Islamic and Middle East Studies Department at the University of Edinburgh and is a non-resident associate fellow at the Observer Research Foundation, New Delhi.

Published: 4:30pm, 15 Feb 2024Updated: 5:23pm, 15 Feb 2024

A recent report by US television channel CBS has revealed that Chinese immigrants are the fastest-growing group of undocumented migrants to the United States. Braving long journeys through several countries, thousands are reported to be entering from China every year.

Video footage shot by CBS showed a specific gap in the border wall between Mexico and San Diego, California, where several Chinese migrants walked through to cross the border. Surprisingly, many officials at the border appear to be aware of the large numbers crossing through such gaps, but do not take much action.

US border authorities have revealed that more than 24,000 Chinese immigrants were detained in 2023 and that the numbers are expected to increase in 2024. Several factors seem to be driving this trend of migration. First, within China itself, the conditions created by the central government seem to have motivated people to head for the US, which they perceive to be freer in terms of democratic rights.