A Chinese asylum seeker, Guan Heng, is facing potential deportation from the United States after a perilous journey to escape his country’s oppressive regime. In October 2021, Guan set sail from the Bahamas in a small inflatable boat, aiming for Florida. His motivation stemmed from fears of arrest in China following the release of a video documenting alleged human rights abuses in Xinjiang.
After a challenging 23-hour journey, Guan arrived on U.S. shores, where he sought asylum, fearing retribution for his activism. His video, which he had kept private while in China, showcased evidence of detentions and widespread surveillance in Xinjiang, where reports indicate that hundreds of thousands of Uyghurs and other minorities are being held.
Guan’s asylum case has been ongoing, with a recent hearing held via video link at an immigration court in upstate New York. He has been detained for several months while awaiting a decision. A second hearing is scheduled for January 12. If his asylum application is denied, he could be deported to a third country, specifically Uganda, as argued by a Department of Homeland Security attorney during a Monday hearing.
The Supreme Court’s ruling in July on third-country deportations has added urgency to Guan’s situation. Raja Krishnamoorthi, a Democratic Representative from Illinois, has publicly expressed concern over Guan’s treatment. In a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, he highlighted that Guan’s case exemplifies the very reasons asylum protections exist.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents apprehended Guan while executing a search warrant unrelated to him. According to a DHS statement, “This illegal alien from China entered the U.S. illegally at an unknown date and time. All of his claims will be heard before an immigration judge.”
Guan’s journey to the U.S. began after he became aware of China’s harsh treatment of minorities in Xinjiang. His mother, Luo Yun, and his lawyer, Chen Chuangchuang, have noted that Guan was motivated by reports that detailed the extrajudicial detention of individuals in the region. In mid-2021, after leaving China for Ecuador—where Chinese nationals could enter without a visa—he traveled to the Bahamas before attempting the dangerous sea crossing.
In the U.S., he initially found work driving for Uber and performing odd jobs after applying for asylum and securing a work permit. However, in August, Guan was arrested by ICE during a raid aimed at his roommate. Chen described this turn of events as a stroke of bad luck for Guan, whose case has drawn significant attention from human rights advocates.
Critics argue that Guan’s situation underscores a growing concern about the treatment of asylum seekers in the U.S. His family in China has reportedly faced scrutiny and interrogation since his departure, further complicating his circumstances. Luo Yun, now residing in Taiwan, expressed her hope for her son’s future, stating, “My son is young, his road [in life] is still long. … I hope he can stay in the U.S.”
As the situation evolves, Guan’s case not only highlights the challenges faced by individuals fleeing oppressive regimes but also raises important questions about immigration policy and humanitarian protections in the United States.
