Guan Heng

Guan Heng is a 38-year-old Chinese national who filmed evidence of alleged human rights abuses against Uyghurs in Xinjiang. He left China and arrived in the US illegally in 2021, subsequently applying for asylum. He was taken into custody by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in August of the following year during a mass deportation operation, leading to uncertainty about his future in the US. His case became newsworthy due to the potential for his removal despite his claims of persecution if returned to China. Recently, a US immigration judge granted Guan Heng asylum, citing a “well-founded fear” of persecution should he be sent back to China. This decision is significant because it acknowledges the potential dangers faced by individuals who expose alleged human rights violations in China and highlights the US asylum system's role in protecting such individuals.