Today @Call4HK launches its campaign for the Hong Konger Promise of Refuge Act (S. 5606 / H.R. 10685), supported by @thecfhk, @hkdc_us, @hk_watch, Hongkonger Community Center, and Action for Hongkongers. The bill, introduced by Senator Jeff Merkley and Representative Jim McGovern, would let Hongkongers covered by Deferred Enforced Departure apply for green cards. While they wait, they could not be detained or deported, and they could work. Since 2021, Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) has protected Hongkongers in the US from deportation. It ends on February 5, 2027, and an extension is difficult. Since June, ICE has also routinely detained Hongkongers covered by DED. What you can do, in two minutes: 1. Go to call4hk.us 2. Enter your zip code 3. Add one sentence about why this matters to you, and send You do not need to share your immigration status. If you have US-based friends, coworkers, or family who care about Hong Kong, send them the link too.

今日 Call4HK 聯同 Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation、Hong Kong Watch、Action for Hongkongers , Hong Kong Democracy Council，及 Hongkonger Community Center 正式推出《Hong Konger Promise of Refuge Act》（S. 5606／H.R. 10685）促請議員聯署行動。 自2021年起，「延遲強制離境」（DED）一直保護喺美國嘅香港人免被遣返。呢項保護將喺2027年2月5日屆滿，而美國政府已示意唔會延長。由今年6月開始，移民及海關執法局（ICE）亦曾拘留受 DED 保護嘅香港人。 由參議員 Jeff Merkley 同眾議員 Jim McGovern 提出嘅法案，可以令受 DED 保護嘅香港人同佢哋嘅家人申請綠卡。申請期間唔會被拘留或遣返，並可以合法工作。 你可以用兩分鐘參與： 1⃣ 前往 call4hk.us（連結見簡介） 2⃣ 輸入你嘅zip code 3⃣ 加一句你自己嘅說話，然後發送 你唔需要透露自己嘅移民身份。如果你身邊有關心香港嘅美國公民朋友、同事或家人，請將連結分享畀佢哋。

In the 2.5 years we've been writing about Hong Kong's role as a leading sanctions evasion hub, its efforts have only expanded, while Europe & the US have done little to counter it. @jonstivers of @thecfhk's new report provides an update on the situation. thecfhk.org/research/safe-ha…

Today in Congress, @SenJeffMerkley and @RepMcGovern have introduced the Hong Konger Promise of Refuge Act, which would let Hongkongers already living in the US *lawfully* under Deferred Enforced Departure apply for green cards. These are people who fled Hong Kong after Beijing dismantled the city's freedoms. Many were protesters, organizers, or journalists, and Hong Kong's National Security Law reaches speech made anywhere in the world, so for many of them going home means repression at best, arrest at worst. They are here lawfully, and they were screened before they ever arrived. Each of them obtained a US visa through a consular interview and State Department vetting, and USCIS has been screening them and issuing work permits ever since. The bill adds a further bar for anyone with a felony or multiple misdemeanors. Whatever the concern about this group may be, national security is not it. The protection they rely on expires on February 5, 2027, and nothing requires any president to renew it. In the meantime, despite their lawful presence in the US, ICE has been arresting Hongkongers who are covered by the program, often at airports, and holding them for weeks before a judge orders them released. An administration that describes itself as tough on Beijing and supportive of Hong Kong's democracy movement should not be sending Hong Kong's democrats back to the government they fled. Sen Merkley's press release: merkley.senate.gov/merkley-m… Full bill here: merkley.senate.gov/wp-conten…