US Can Deport Hong Kong Residents, New Warning Says

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has warned that Hong Kong residents who were granted temporary protection under the Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) program could be deported. This follows a Politico report that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents detained at least a dozen Hong Kongers at airports. DED is a special program that lets people from certain places stay in the US temporarily due to unsafe conditions back home. It does not give them a green card or permanent legal status.

A DHS spokesman said the department can still put DED holders into removal proceedings and hasn't ruled out doing so. He added that having a work permit or a pending application does not make someone legally present in the US. This means even those with jobs and pending paperwork could be at risk. The news has alarmed many in the Hong Kong community who thought they were safe until their DED status expired.

For the estimated thousands of Hong Kongers in the US under DED, this creates fear and uncertainty. Many fled after China imposed a sweeping national security law in 2020, which crushed pro-democracy protests. They worry about being sent back to a place where they could face arrest or persecution. The detentions at airports suggest the government may be actively checking and detaining DED holders, even if they haven't committed crimes.

Advocacy groups are urging the Biden administration to clarify its policy and protect Hong Kongers. They argue that deporting them would betray America's promise of refuge. The situation is developing, and it's unclear if the detentions are part of a broader crackdown or isolated incidents. For now, Hong Kongers under DED should consult an immigration lawyer and avoid international travel if possible.