US to impose visa sanctions on China over migrant dispute ahead of Trump visit

The US-China tensions are set to flare up once again as the Trump administration is planning to further restrict travel restrictions on Beijing over the migrant dispute.

As reported by Reuters based on the information provided by a senior Trump administration official, the decision to impose visa sanctions comes as China is slowing down its efforts to repatriate Chinese nationals residing illegally in the US.

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President Donald Trump is expected to meet Xi Jinping as per the planned schedule of May 14-15. This issue will be raised by him during meetings with his counterpart.

When Trump took the position of President, China showed willingness to repatriate “confirmed Chinese nationals” after verification. In early 2025, around 3,000 deportees were sent back to China through charter and commercial flights.

According to the US official, it has been six months since Beijing has narrowed the scope of its cooperation in this matter.

“China refuses to fully cooperate with the United States to take back its citizens,” the official said, calling it a “violation of China's international obligations and responsibility toward its people.”

Given the lack of cooperation over the matter of deportations, the US may implement stricter measures, including higher cash bonds for visa applicants and increased entry denials.

"Inaction by the Chinese government will jeopardize future travel for law-abiding Chinese citizens," the ​official said.

Previously Beijing has said it opposes illegal migration, and calls it an "international issue that requires cooperation between countries."

In the US, more than 100,000 undocumented Chinese officials are still present. More than 30,000 have final orders of removal, ​and of those, authorities have detained more ​than 1,500 awaiting deportation.

The Chinese embassy in Washington has not yet responded but previously Beijing voiced opposition against illegal migration and called for cooperation between countries to resolve this international issue.