Continuation of Deferred Enforced Departure for Hong Kong: What’s Next?

The United States reasserts its support for the individuals in Hong Kong as they confront Beijing’s ongoing attack on the rights and liberties ensured to Hong Kong under the Basic Law and the Sino-British Joint Declaration.

The United States is offering a temporary refuge to Hong Kong citizens who are still apprehensive about returning to their home city. Under this extension, the U.S. will maintain the deferment of enforced departure for qualifying Hong Kong residents until February 5, 2027. This resolution to prolong the Deferred Enforced Departure aligns with measures implemented by our allies and partners—including the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia—to provide alternatives for those who are afraid of going back to Hong Kong.

This resolution was reached considering Beijing and Hong Kong officials’ persistent and repeated assaults on the safeguarded rights and freedoms valued by the people in Hong Kong, such as the unfair conviction of two former Stand News editors for releasing purportedly “seditious” articles, the wrongful sentences given to 45 pro-democracy activists for their peaceful involvement in political activities protected under the Basic Law, and the ongoing national security trial involving democracy advocate and Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai.

This is also evident in the targeting of overseas democracy advocates by Beijing and Hong Kong authorities. Most recently, on December 24, Hong Kong officials issued new arrest warrants and bounties for six overseas democracy activists and revoked passports for seven additional activists, including several located in the United States. These acts of transnational repression pose a danger to U.S. sovereignty and national security and reflect a blatant disregard for democracy and human rights.

We persist in calling on Beijing and Hong Kong authorities to stop employing ambiguous national security laws to suppress those who peacefully voice their political opinions, to promptly and unconditionally free all individuals detained or imprisoned solely for exercising their human rights and fundamental freedoms, and to restore the transparency that was vital to Hong Kong’s global standing.