According to Reuters, a senior Trump administration official said Washington may impose stricter travel measures if China does not accept more deportees.

The possible measures include higher cash bonds for visa applications, increased visa denials, and more entry restrictions at U.S. borders.

The U.S. official claimed that China initially accepted about 3,000 deportees in early 2025 but has scaled back cooperation in recent months.

Washington says more than 100,000 undocumented Chinese nationals are currently in the United States, with over 30,000 facing final removal orders.

China has previously said it opposes illegal migration but maintains that repatriation requires verification and cooperation between countries.

The issue adds another layer of tension to U.S.-China relations, already strained by trade, technology, security and migration disputes.