Thank you to @RepRoKhanna for co-sponsoring H.R.10685, the Hong Konger Promise of Refuge Act. This bill stands with Hongkongers who have sought refuge from Beijing’s crackdown, offering those protected under Deferred Enforced Departure (#DED) a path to permanent residency so they no longer have to live in fear of deportation.
Thank you, @SenJeffMerkley, for speaking out against the unjust imprisonment of Joshua Wong and standing with the people of Hong Kong. The United States must continue to hold the authorities accountable for its crackdown on fundamental freedoms and demand Joshua’s immediate and unconditional release. #FreeJoshuaWong #FreeThemAll
Since June, ICE has been arresting Hongkongers lawfully present in the US by intercepting airports, holding them for weeks, and pressuring them to sign voluntary departure forms. In every case I’ve handled, courts eventually order them released, but this only happens after weeks or months of illegal detention of innocent people. Even after release, many are forced by ICE to wear ankle monitors and barred from leaving their area.
@phelimkine of @politico investigates these illegal detentions in a new article out today. DHS told him that DED "is not a status." But Hanscom Smith, who served as US consul general in Hong Kong under both Trump and Biden, shared the reality: if you're a Hongkonger here on DED, you're here legally.
Many of these people were part of the 2019 democracy protests. Administration officials have told us the White House will not extend DED past February 5. After that, DHS's position is that it can put them on a plane back to a government that jails people for wearing a "liberate Hong Kong" T-shirt or posting pro-democracy statements on social media.
Senator Merkley and Rep. McGovern's Hong Konger Promise of Refuge Act would let these Hongkongers stay and apply for green cards. It is the clearest fix on the table, and it needs support now. Time is short: Please ask your senators and representative to cosponsor it.
Republicans in particular: this should be your bill too. In 2021 Marco Rubio cosponsored legislation to fast-track Hong Kong exiles for refugee status. These are pro-democracy Hongkongers fleeing the Chinese Communist Party, and every one of them was vetted before arriving. We need Republican cosponsors to get it moving, and I'm glad to talk with any office considering it.
https://t.co/SfnAFGMh6n
We agree, @SenJeffMerkley. The U.S. can’t be silent while Beijing punishes those who speak out for Hong Kong, and the international community shouldn’t stay quiet either. Joshua Wong should be freed immediately. #FreeJoshuaWong
The U.S. can’t be silent as the Chinese government continues to harshly punish those speaking out about Hong Kong’s struggle for democracy, including Joshua Wong. Joshua should be freed immediately, and we need to support free speech worldwide. https://t.co/5Y1rb0jmpR
Joshua Wong's 10-year sentence is appalling. But this is also worthy of attention: Au Kam San, a teacher-turned-lawmaker who served in Macao legislature for 20 years /made only mild criticisms against the govt, was given a 12½ years sentence in city's 1st national security case.
By the time Joshua reaches the age of 40, he would have spent almost half his life in jail.
This tells what the regime fears most: hope, courage, and new ideas. But keeping him behind bars would not put out the fire of dissent Joshua has already sparked. It’s in our DNA by now.
From @WSJopinion: Since age 14 pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong has spoken against Beijing’s assault on freedom in his home city of Hong Kong. He’ll now remain a political prisoner until he’s 40.
https://t.co/3BrMRWXGLQ
Joint statement on the sentencing of Joshua Wong from the foreign ministries of Germany, the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, France, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United States 👇