US grants asylum to Chinese whistleblower
US immigration judge grants asylum to Chinese national who documented Uyghur detention camps, citing credible fear of persecution if returned to China
WASHINGTON (MNTV) — The United States has granted asylum to a Chinese national who documented alleged human rights abuses in East Turkistan (Xinjiang), after an immigration judge ruled that he faced a well-founded fear of persecution if returned to China.
The ruling applies to Guan Heng, 38, who filmed detention facilities in China’s northwestern Xinjiang autonomous region and later fled the country. The decision was issued following a hearing in New York, where the judge said Guan had demonstrated credible risk of retaliation from Chinese authorities.
Guan’s asylum case drew public attention after U.S. authorities initially sought to deport him to Uganda following his detention during an immigration enforcement operation in August. The plan was later dropped amid scrutiny from rights advocates and members of the U.S. Congress.
Guan entered the United States in 2021 after a circuitous journey that took him through Hong Kong, Ecuador and the Caribbean, releasing most of his footage online shortly before reaching Florida by boat. He told the court that his decision to publish the videos was driven by concern for persecuted Uyghurs, not to manufacture an asylum claim.
The footage shows Guan travelling across East Turkistan and filming what he described as large-scale detention centres. Human rights organizations and several Western governments have said more than one million Uyghur Muslims and other ethnic minorities have been arbitrarily detained in the region.
During testimony, Guan said Chinese police questioned his father multiple times after the videos were released, reinforcing his fear of reprisals if he were sent back. The judge cited this development as evidence that Chinese authorities were already aware of and responding to his actions.
The case unfolds amid sustained international scrutiny of China’s policies in East Turkistan. The United States, United Kingdom, Canada and the Netherlands have accused Beijing of committing crimes against humanity and possibly genocide against the Uyghur population.
A U.N. human rights body has previously reported credible evidence of mass detentions in what China terms “vocational training” or “re-education” centers.
China has consistently denied allegations of abuse, stating that the facilities are part of counter-extremism efforts. However, leaked police records and testimonies from former detainees have described strict surveillance, armed guards and severe mistreatment inside the camps.
Guan’s lawyer described the ruling as a clear demonstration of the purpose of asylum protections. The US Department of Homeland Security retains the right to appeal the decision within 30 days.
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