Hong Kong Watch welcomes the Extending and Expanding Eligibility for Deferred Enforced Departure for Certain Hong Kong Residents

Yesterday, the Biden Administration announced Extending and Expanding Eligibility for Deferred Enforced Departure for Certain Hong Kong Residents (DED). This will prevent the deportation of Hong Kongers from the United States until February 5, 2025. 

The DED programme was launched in August 2021 in support of the human rights and fundamental freedoms of the residents of Hong Kong. It recognised that the People’s Republic of China’s (PRC) was undermining and eroding rights and freedoms in Hong Kongers since the passing of the National Security Law in June 2020. This included rights protected under the Sino-British Joint Declaration, which the PRC has violated. The Administration recognised that the “PRC has continued its assault on Hong Kong’s autonomy, undermining its remaining democratic processes and institutions, imposing limits on academic freedom, and cracking down on freedom of the press.” 

The extension of DED, comes off the back of a joint-campaign by Hong Kong NGOs of which Hong Kong Watch played a leading role through our advocacy work. This included support for an open letter signed by 47 organizations working in the USA and led by the Hong Kong Democracy Council. The letter highlighted that the political instability in Hong Kong shows no sign of slowing down, and that the DED “offered eligible individuals crucial immunities from deportation and the right to seek employment here.”

Commenting the extension of the scheme, Sam Goodman, Director of Policy and Advocacy at Hong Kong Watch, said:

“We welcome the announcement by the US Administration that it will extend executive action protecting Hong Kongers based in the US from deportation for another two years, and appreciate all of the work from individuals in Congress, the State Department, and civil society to secure this extension. 

The Executive Order rightly recognises the deteriorating human rights situation in Hong Kong and the exposure of activists in the US who are unable to return home as a result of the draconian national security law and the ongoing crackdown on civil and political rights. 

In the months ahead, we will continue our work alongside other Hong Kong NGOs to ensure that Congress considers lifeboat legislation that will help political prisoners and their families who need a lifeline out of the city and safe haven.”