Guan Heng, a 38-year-old Chinese national, is facing potential deportation from the United States despite having an active asylum application. His case stems from footage he filmed in China's Xinjiang region, which he described as depicting detention camps and securitization. After publishing this footage, he departed China and traveled to the U.S. in October 2021, seeking asylum. He is currently held in immigration detention in upstate New York, and a Department of Homeland Security lawyer has advocated for his deportation to Uganda.
Background and Departure from China
In 2020, Guan Heng became aware of reports concerning the detention of Uyghurs and other minorities in China's Xinjiang region. He subsequently traveled to the region, where he filmed footage described as depicting detention camps and evidence of extensive securitization. He withheld publication of this footage while in China.
Fearing arrest in China following the potential publication of his footage, Guan departed the country in July 2021. After his departure and the subsequent publication of the Xinjiang footage, his family members in China reported undergoing extensive interrogation by authorities.
Journey to the United States and Asylum Application
Guan's journey after leaving China took him to Ecuador, then to the Bahamas. From the Bahamas, he traveled by inflatable boat, reaching Florida in October 2021 after a 23-hour journey, where he sought asylum in the U.S.
Upon arrival, Guan applied for asylum and obtained a work permit, which allowed him to engage in employment such as driving for Uber.
Detention and Legal Proceedings
In August, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested Guan during a raid at his residence. The raid was reportedly part of an investigation initially targeting his roommate. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that ICE "encountered" Guan, identifying him as an "illegal alien from China" who "entered the U.S. illegally at an unknown date and time." DHS further stated that his claims are subject to review by an immigration judge.
Guan has since been held in U.S. immigration detention in upstate New York. He appeared via video link before an immigration court regarding his asylum application, which remains pending. A subsequent hearing is scheduled for mid-January. During a recent hearing, a DHS lawyer advocated for Guan's deportation to Uganda, a third country. The U.S. Supreme Court authorized such third-country deportations in July.
Advocacy and Context
Guan's case has drawn attention from various parties. Democratic Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois wrote to the Homeland Security Secretary, stating that the circumstances of Guan's departure from China align with the rationale for asylum eligibility. Human rights activists have also argued for Guan's protection as a whistleblower.
Statistics from 2024 indicate that approximately 15% of asylum applications from Chinese nationals were rejected, while over 50% were granted. China maintains a sensitive stance regarding international criticism of its policies in Xinjiang and has reportedly detained individuals suspected of leaking security-related information from the region.