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ICE arrests Chinese human rights lawyer seeking asylum in US

From The Guardian · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Under investigation
  • A Chinese human rights lawyer, Wu Shaoping, has been arrested by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after entering the US on a tourist visa and claiming asylum.
  • Wu fled China in 2019 amid a crackdown on human rights lawyers and has been active in the community while working as an Amazon courier.
  • Human rights groups and friends are concerned he could be deported to China, where he faces persecution.

A Chinese human rights lawyer who fled China's crackdown on legal professionals has been arrested by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), raising fears of his deportation.

Wu Shaoping arrived in the US on a tourist visa at the end of 2019 and applied for asylum in 2020, a decision that is still pending. While awaiting a ruling, he worked as an Amazon courier and remained involved with China's human rights community.

He hoped that Chinese people could enjoy freedom and democracy, and did not like the way that China’s authoritarian system oppressed the common people.

— Li CaoliuWu's wife, describing his motivations for human rights work.

ICE officers apprehended Wu on Wednesday in Mount Holly Springs, Pennsylvania, while he was making deliveries. According to a friend who spoke with Wu in detention, ICE agents questioned his citizenship status. Wu presented his pending asylum application and stated he had entered the country legally, but was nonetheless arrested and taken to a detention facility.

Wu's work involved sensitive cases concerning religious minorities and political dissidents, leading to disbarment or harassment for many lawyers in China. His wife stated he "hoped that Chinese people could enjoy freedom and democracy, and did not like the way that China’s authoritarian system oppressed the common people." His arrest has caused "enormous fear" among others who have fled China, according to a leader of the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests.

creates enormous fear among many of my friends who fled the Chinese Communist party to look for some kind of protection in US

— Zhou FengsuoA leader of the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests, commenting on the impact of Wu's arrest.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Guardian in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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