A Chinese man who documented alleged human rights violations against Uyghurs in China now faces the threat of removal from the United States by immigration authorities.
Detention and legal battle
Guan Heng, aged 38, was detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in August. He appeared for an immigration hearing in New York on Monday, where a judge set a further hearing date for January. His lawyer, Chen Chuangchuang, confirmed the details.
Guan's mother, Luo Yun, told AFP she is terrified for her son's safety. "I'm really, really worried that things will be very bad for him if he is made to return," she said. "If he has a chance to remain in the United States, he'll at least be safe."
Risk of return to China
The legal case centres on whether Guan should be sent to Uganda to process his asylum claim, as the country has an agreement to accept certain deportees from the US. However, his lawyer intends to challenge this, arguing there is a significant risk Guan could ultimately be returned to China from Uganda.
The Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission warned on social media that Guan "would likely be persecuted" if sent back to China, urging he be "given every opportunity to stay in a place of refuge."
Background and fallout
In late 2021, Guan published a 20-minute video online detailing his travels in China's north-western Xinjiang region. He visited sites identified in investigations as detention facilities for Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities.
Beijing has been accused of detaining over a million Uyghurs and other Muslims since 2017, allegations it vehemently denies, stating its policies combat extremism and boost development. After filming, Guan left China and eventually entered the US via South America.
His mother stated she was unaware of the video's content. She revealed that after its publication, family members in mainland China were questioned by authorities about their ties to Guan. In August, she learned from a friend that he had been detained by ICE. "His emotional state was one of extreme panic and breakdown," she said of their contact.
Guan is reportedly being held in a Broome County facility in upstate New York, and his name appears on an online ICE detainee list. His mother's plea is simple: "I just want my child to be well. He's still young, and has a long life ahead."
