The United States Department of Homeland Security has abandoned its plan to deport a Chinese national who illegally entered the country, according to rights activists. The decision follows mounting public pressure over concerns that the man, Guan Heng, would face severe punishment from Beijing for his role in documenting alleged human rights abuses in China's Xinjiang region.
From Secret Filming to Asylum Seekin
In 2020, Guan Heng, now 38, secretly filmed what activists describe as detention facilities in Xinjiang. These sites are at the centre of international allegations that China has detained up to a million ethnic minorities, primarily Uyghurs. The Chinese government vehemently denies all accusations of abuse, stating the facilities are vocational training centres aimed at combating extremism and teaching job skills.
Knowing he could not safely release the footage from within China, Guan left the mainland in 2021. His journey took him to Hong Kong, then to Ecuador—which at the time offered visa-free travel for Chinese nationals—and onwards to the Bahamas. There, according to the NGO Human Rights in China, he purchased a small inflatable boat and motor and set sail for Florida.
A Perilous Journey and a Public Campaign
After nearly 23 hours at sea, Guan reached the Florida coast. The video evidence he carried was subsequently published on YouTube, providing what rights groups call further proof of systemic abuses in Xinjiang. However, his actions led to retaliation; his family in China was reportedly summoned by state security after he was doxxed.
Guan sought asylum in the US and settled in a quiet town outside Albany, New York. His relative peace was shattered in August when he was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. His case gained significant traction after being publicised by advocacy groups, garnering support from US lawmakers and the public.
Political Pressure Leads to Reprieve
Human rights lawyer Rayhan Asat, who assisted in the case, stated that Guan's legal team received a letter from the Department of Homeland Security withdrawing its request to send him to Uganda. Asat expressed optimism that his asylum case would now "proceed smoothly and favourably". Zhou Fengsuo, executive director of Human Rights in China, also confirmed the decision, stating, "We're really happy."
Before a court appearance earlier this month, members of Congress voiced strong support for Guan. The bipartisan Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission posted on X, calling the Xinjiang facilities "concentration camps" and urging the US to provide him refuge. Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi wrote to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, arguing the US has a "moral responsibility" to protect those who expose such abuses.
Guan's legal team is currently working to secure his release on bond from the ICE detention facility in New York where he is being held. The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the case.
