Chinese migrants in the US refute Trump’s claim of building an ‘army’

In the bustling neighborhood of Flushing in New York City, Chinese immigrants like Wang Gang are facing a daily struggle to find work and make ends meet. Wang, a 36-year-old who crossed the southern U.S. border illegally in search of better financial prospects, spends his days jostling for day jobs with dozens of other men hoping to be picked for work on construction sites or farms.

Despite the challenges they face, the Chinese immigrants in Flushing are far from the coordinated group of “military-age” men that former President Donald Trump and other Republicans have portrayed them to be. Trump’s rhetoric about Chinese immigrants forming a migrant “army” has sparked concerns among Asian advocacy organizations about potential harassment and violence towards the Asian community.

As the U.S. sees a surge in Chinese border crossings, with more than 37,000 Chinese nationals arrested at the U.S.-Mexico border in 2023, there is no evidence to support the claims of an organized military force among the immigrants. Most of the Chinese newcomers are single adults, with more men than women making the perilous journey to the U.S.

Despite the hardships they face, the Chinese immigrants in Flushing are simply seeking a better life and opportunities to escape poverty and repression in China. They are not here to fight on behalf of their home country, but rather to build a new life for themselves and their families. The narrative of a Chinese migrant army is based on stereotypes and misinformation, fueling fear and discrimination against the Asian community in the U.S.