Former Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated on Tuesday that China is executing a long-term strategy to weaken the United States, alleging that Beijing-backed networks are intentionally funneling Chinese nationals across the U.S. southern border.
Speaking as the special envoy for Shield of Americas during an interview with Fox Business’ Maria Bartiromo, Noem said she has reviewed intelligence showing that organized networks are assisting undocumented migrants. She described an operational system established throughout Latin and South America designed to move individuals toward the United States.
“We saw very coordinated attacks of people coming into this country from China,” Noem said. “Countries that I have worked with in Latin and South America have told us how they had Chinese operations set up for people to fly into their countries, almost like a travel agency would be.”
According to Noem, these individuals are provided with specific documentation before being placed on buses headed to the U.S.-Mexico border. She noted that the demographics of those arriving appear highly consistent.
“Overwhelmingly, the testimonies have been that they were the same-aged individuals. Young, mainly men, some females, but very much a coordinated attempt to get individuals into our country, to change our country,” she said.
The remarks come amid ongoing warnings from Republican lawmakers regarding a rise in Chinese immigration. Government data shows that border authorities have recorded more than 22,000 encounters involving Chinese nationals at the southern border since 2023.
In addition to border crossings, Noem pointed to U.S. intelligence identifying China as the primary source of illicit precursor chemicals used by Mexican cartels to manufacture fentanyl. While she noted that investigators have not established an official, direct link to the Chinese government itself, she attributed the activity to businesses operating within the country.
“They have facilitated that,” Noem said. “I wouldn’t say, necessarily, we found ties to it officially, right to the government, but absolutely. Chinese businesses, those tied to the CCP, those individuals working with the cartels to make sure that the product gets into the United States.”
Noem argued that these actions are part of a broader, unconventional effort by Beijing to target the U.S. population directly rather than relying solely on military or economic competition.
“And remember, China has a thousand-year plan to destroy the United States. They don’t just build up their military. They don’t just manipulate their currency, harm us with trade practices,” Noem said. “They have a plan to kill our country from the inside by killing off our next generation of Americans. They will use every tool that they have.”
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