WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the U.S. and the C.C.P., Ranking Member Gregory Meeks (D-NY) of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) sent a letter to President Joe Biden and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas expressing support for continued protections of Hong Kong residents under the Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) program.
The DED program is a temporary measure, authorized by the President of the United States at their discretion, that allows certain foreign nationals from designated countries to stay in the U.S. without facing deportation for a period of time.
The letter signees request the Biden Administration to extend DED for eligible Hong Kong residents until no earlier than January 20, 2029, due to the threat of political persecution and the erosion of democracy in Hong Kong at the hands of the CCP.
“As is well documented, attacks on Hong Kongers’ free speech and basic human rights do not stop at the city’s borders. That is why we must take action to protect those Hong Kong residents who would face almost certain prosecution if they were to return to Hong Kong. By extending the DED program for Hong Kongers, we can provide them a temporary safe haven and live up to our reputation as being a beacon for freedom and democracy in the United States,” said Ranking Member Krishnamoorthi.
“The Deferred Enforced Departure program has provided critical protection for Hong Kongers in the U.S., shielding them from the threat of political persecution if forced to return to Hong Kong under the tightening grip of the CCP. Thousands of Hong Kongers relying on this program now face dire uncertainty and grave risks. Extending the program until 2029 is a vital step to ensure their safety and to reaffirm America’s commitment to standing against authoritarianism. This immediate extension is essential to provide stability and security for those at risk, as we continue to push for permanent solutions to protect individuals fleeing the CCP’s repression. We strongly urge the administration to act swiftly to demonstrate solidarity with Hong Kong’s pro-democracy advocates,” said the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong (CFHK) Foundation.
“The implementation of Deferred Enforced Departure early in Joe Biden’s presidency was a milestone in his Hong Kong policy. Thousands of our community members have since then relied on its crucial protections as their only lifeline in the U.S., where they’ve contributed greatly to the defense of human rights and global democracy. But a repressive Hong Kong — marred by the incarceration of more than 1,900 political prisoners — awaits them should they be deported. Therefore, we join our allies on the House Select Committee on the CCP, the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and the Congressional-Executive Commission on China in calling for another expansion and a 48-month extension of the program. We hope President Biden will make the wise decision and preserve his legacy before he leaves office next week,” said the Hong Kong Democracy Council.
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