A Chinese man, Guan Heng, faces the possibility of deportation from the United States after seeking asylum following the release of secret footage from China’s Xinjiang region. In October 2021, Guan embarked on a perilous journey to the U.S., sailing from the Bahamas in a small inflatable boat. His motivation stemmed from fears that his video, which documented alleged detentions in Xinjiang, would lead to his arrest in China.
Guan reached Florida after a grueling 23-hour trip, despite battling severe seasickness and lacking prior boating experience. He later detailed his journey to Human Rights in China, a U.S.-based advocacy group raising awareness about his situation.
Currently, the 38-year-old is held in immigration detention in upstate New York, where he recently appeared via video link for his asylum hearing. A subsequent hearing is scheduled for January 12, 2024. If his application is denied, Guan could be deported to Uganda, a possibility argued by a lawyer from the Department of Homeland Security during a recent court session. The Supreme Court approved such third-country deportations in July, raising concerns about the implications for individuals like Guan.
The case has drawn attention to the expanding immigration policies in the U.S. Democratic Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois emphasized the significance of Guan’s asylum application, stating, “The circumstances of his departure from the PRC are a textbook example of why asylum exists.”
According to a statement from the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents encountered Guan while executing a criminal search warrant. The agency described him as an “illegal alien from China” who entered the U.S. at an unspecified date and time. All claims related to his case will be evaluated by an immigration judge.
Guan’s journey to the U.S. was motivated by his desire to expose human rights abuses in Xinjiang, where reports indicate that hundreds of thousands of Uyghurs and other minorities have been detained. In 2020, after being inspired by English news reports, Guan traveled to Xinjiang, capturing footage of alleged detention camps and the region’s extensive securitization. Due to safety concerns, he refrained from publishing the footage while in China. In July 2021, he left China for Ecuador, a country that allowed Chinese nationals to enter without a visa, before eventually making his way to the Bahamas and sailing to the U.S.
Guan’s asylum application initially allowed him to secure a work permit, enabling him to support himself through driving for Uber and taking on odd jobs. However, in August, he was arrested by ICE during a raid at his residence, which was initially intended to investigate his roommate. His lawyer, Chen Chuangchuang, characterized Guan’s arrest as a matter of “bad luck.”
Human rights advocates have criticized the U.S. government for its handling of Guan’s case, arguing that he should be recognized as a whistleblower deserving protection. Guan’s family in China has reported extensive interrogations following his departure, highlighting the potential risks he faces if deported. His mother, Luo Yun, who resides in Taiwan, expressed her fears for her son’s future, stating, “There is not one family member of his who has been left unaffected and not investigated.”
The situation in Xinjiang remains a sensitive topic for Chinese authorities, who have cracked down on individuals perceived as threats to national security, particularly those who leak information. The international community continues to scrutinize China’s actions in the region, making Guan’s asylum case a focal point in discussions about human rights and immigration policy.
