China’s Increased Emigration explained through Regional Security, Liberty, and the Leviathan

Shifting Tides – The Chinese Exodus to the U.S. through the Mexican Gateway

Recent years have witnessed a notable surge in Chinese emigration to the United States via Mexico, a trend that reflects deeper currents of dissatisfaction within China and evolving immigration policies in the U.S. This post explores the complex interplay of factors driving this phenomenon, drawing on a range of sources including Shepelsky Law, Rey Abogado, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and Cohen, Tucker & Ades P.C.

Underlying Causes in China 

The exodus of Chinese citizens to the U.S. through Mexico can be linked to a confluence of economic challenges, strict COVID-19 lockdown policies, and dwindling religious and human rights in China (The Diplomat, 2023). Additionally, the Chinese government’s aggressive enforcement of censorship and restrictions on personal freedoms has intensified the public’s discontent.

U.S. Immigration Policy Landscape 

2023 saw several key developments in U.S. immigration policy. A Texas federal judge halted new applications for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, while new humanitarian parole programs were introduced for nationals from specific countries, including Ukraine and certain Latin American nations (Shepelsky Law, 2023). Other significant changes included restrictions on H-1B visa registrations to curb fraud, the introduction of digital visa processes, and expanded premium processing for student visas (Shepelsky Law, 2023; Rey Abogado, 2023).

New Pathways and Challenges 

The Biden administration’s policies have aimed to create simpler pathways for immigration, with proposed laws like the Dignity Act of 2023 and the American Dream and Promise Act of 2023, potentially benefiting undocumented immigrants and Dreamers. These laws aim to provide pathways to citizenship for long-time residents without legal status in the U.S.. However, challenges remain, particularly in states like Florida and Texas, where local policies may counteract federal efforts (Cohen, Tucker & Ades P.C., 2023).

Routes to the Unites States of America through Mexico

Navigating a Complex Landscape 

The situation at the U.S.-Mexico border remains dynamic, with the U.S. government working with regional partners to manage migration flows and implement new lawful pathways for migration, as outlined by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS, 2023). These efforts underscore the ongoing challenges and complexities in addressing migration in the Western Hemisphere.

The increasing Chinese migration to the U.S. via Mexico is a multifaceted issue, shaped by internal pressures within China and evolving U.S. immigration policies. This trend highlights the need for understanding and coordinated approaches to manage migration effectively.

Buzan’s Theory of Regional Security Complexes

Buzan’s theory posits that geographical and political regions form distinct security complexes, where security concerns are interlinked and cannot be understood in isolation. The Regional Security Complex Theory analyzes how the internal politics of a state affect the international environment. In the case of China, its regional security complex can be analyzed through several indicators:

1. Geopolitical Tensions: China’s relations with neighboring countries and regional powers, such as India, Japan, and the ASEAN nations, are marked by territorial disputes and geopolitical rivalries. The South China Sea dispute is a prime example of how regional security is a complex web of national interests and power dynamics.
2. Economic Interdependence: China’s economic growth and integration into the global market have significant implications for regional security. Its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and economic ties with other countries in the region have both cooperative and competitive elements, influencing regional stability.
3. Internal Security Concerns: Issues like the Uighur situation in Xinjiang, pro-democracy movements in Hong Kong, and Taiwan’s status challenge China’s internal security and have regional repercussions, highlighting the interplay of domestic and international security dynamics in the region.

Aspects of National Security

Each of these aspects contributes to China’s desire to increase internal security, even if it’s to the detriment of their population.

China Comparison with Hobbes’ Leviathan: 

Hobbes’ Leviathan describes a powerful, centralized authority created to maintain order and prevent the chaos of a ‘state of nature’.

The Chinese government, with its centralized power structure, mirrors the Leviathan’s role in maintaining order and authority within the state. This is evident in China’s handling of internal dissent and its governance model.

Just as the Leviathan stands supreme within its domain, China seeks a dominant role in its regional security complex and in the International System. However, unlike the Leviathan, which has undisputed authority, China operates in an anarchic international system where its actions are constantly negotiated and contested by their citizens and by other states.

Security vs. Liberty in the Leviathan and China

Aspect	Hobbes’ Leviathan	China’s Situation
Centralized Control for Security	The Leviathan symbolizes absolute authority to prevent chaos in a natural state, requiring a sacrifice of individual freedoms for collective security and order.	The Chinese government prioritizes national security and social stability, often justifying stringent measures as necessary for the greater good.
Trade-off Between Individual Freedoms and State Security	In exchange for security from the Leviathan, individuals must relinquish some degree of their freedom.	This trade-off in China is evident through intense surveillance, censorship, and restrictions on free speech and assembly, often infringing on personal liberties.
The Pursuit of Liberty Leading to Emigration	Not directly applicable as Hobbes focused on the necessity of a strong centralized power for order. In his vision, the citizens are willing to give up their freedom for security.	The increasing emigration from China is partly due to the tension between security and liberty. Individuals seeking more personal freedom and escape from political repression find emigration appealing.
Response to Overbearing Authority	Subjects under an overbearing Leviathan might seek escape or relief.	Chinese citizens facing strict government policies and a high-security environment anre choosing emigration to gain freedoms not available at home, especially in light of recent stringent policies like zero-COVID.

This table illustrates the parallels and contrasts between Hobbes’ conceptualization of a Leviathan and the current situation in China, particularly in the context of the balance between security and liberty.

Additionally, CNN commented that China has been accused by the United Nations for abusing human rights; there has been increased control over religion and a crackdown on civil society.

The Leviathan’s Shadow in Modern China

The situation in China today offers a poignant counterpoint to Hobbes’ Leviathan, revealing the complexities and potential pitfalls of a system where centralized authority is paramount. Hobbes advocated for the Leviathan as a necessary force to prevent chaos and maintain order, but China’s approach illustrates how such a system can also lead to significant challenges:

1. Excessive Control and Diminished Freedoms: The Chinese government’s stringent control measures, while aimed at maintaining stability and order, often come at the expense of individual freedoms. This overbearing control, reminiscent of the Leviathan’s authority, can stifle creativity, suppress dissent, and limit personal autonomy – elements crucial for a vibrant, progressive society.
2. Emergence of Dissent and Emigration: The increasing trend of emigration from China can be seen as a response to the Leviathan-like control. People seeking greater freedom and opportunities are choosing to leave, reflecting a discontent with the level of control and surveillance they experience in their home country.
3. Contradiction to Hobbes’ Ideal: Hobbes envisioned the Leviathan as a solution to the chaos of a state of nature, but the Chinese example shows that an overly dominant Leviathan can lead to its own form of chaos. This is evident in the social unrest, public dissatisfaction, and the desire of many citizens to emigrate. It illustrates how absolute authority, rather than creating a harmonious society, can generate tension and resistance.
4. Global Implications: China’s position as a global power means that its internal dynamics have international repercussions. The Leviathan-like governance model not only impacts its citizens but also shapes its interactions with other nations and affects global perceptions of authoritarian governance.

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Internationalist Conclusions

1. China’s current situation, with its emphasis on security and control at the cost of personal liberties, shows us how Hobbes’ Leviathan in a modern context can have negative repercussions.
2. There’s a very complex balance between maintaining order in a country, respecting individual freedoms, and how veering too far towards control can lead to domestic and international consequences.
3. Through the lens of Buzan’s regional security complex theory, China’s situation reflects the intricate interconnection of internal and external security dynamics within its regional context.
4. Comparing RSCT to Hobbes’ Leviathan provides insights into China’s centralized governance approach, its emphasis on security and order, and its emerging role in the global and regional power structure.
5. This analysis highlights the complexity of balancing national security, regional stability, and individual liberties in the context of a rising global power.

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Sources:

• The ‘walking route’: How an underground industry is helping migrants flee China for the US. (2024, 8 enero). CNN. https://edition.cnn.com/2024/01/08/americas/the-walking-route-how-an-underground-industry-is-helping-migrants-flee-china-for-the-us/index.html
• Hobbes, T. (1651). Leviathan, or, the matter, form, and power of a common-wealth ecclesiastical and civil. London : Printed for A. Crooke.
• Buzan, B., Buzan, B. G., W’ver, O., Waever, O., & Buzan, R. P. O. I. S. C. F. T. S. O. D. B. (2003). Regions and powers: The Structure of International Security. Cambridge University Press.‎
• Migrants find tips on Chinese version of TikTok for long trek to U.S.-Mexico border. (2023, 28 abril). Reuters. https://www.reuters.com/world/migrants-find-tips-chinese-version-tiktok-long-trek-us-mexico-border-2023-04-28/
• The Diplomat, 2023: Why Are More and More Chinese Migrants Risking Their Lives to Cross the US Southern Border?
• Shepelsky Law, 2023: 2023 U.S. Immigration Updates and Reforms: End-of-Year Overview
• Rey Abogado, 2023: Understanding the New Immigration Law in the U.S. for 2023
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 2023: Fact Sheet: U.S. Government Announces Sweeping New Actions to Manage Regional Migration
• Mexico’s other border: security, migration, and the humanitarian crisis at the line with Central America. (s. f.). https://www.wola.org/files/mxgt/report/
• Alguliyev, R., İmamverdiyev, Y., Mahmudov, R., & Alıguliyev, R. M. (2020). Information security as a national security component. Information Security Journal: A Global Perspective, 30(1), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1080/19393555.2020.1795323
• Cohen, Tucker & Ades P.C., 2023: New Immigration Law in 2023
• ChatGPT. (n.d.). OpenAI. https://chat.openai.com/#