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| Biden giving his last address to the nation tonight |
Counting down the days before he leaves office on January 20, US President Joe Biden has given some relief to Hongkongers in America by extending a program that allows those who want to, can stay another two years. The program was supposed to expire in a few weeks.
The extension of the Deferred Enforced Departure program allows certain Hongkongers who have stayed in the US since the program started in August 2021, to continue living and working in the country until February 5, 2027.
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| There are 19 activists on the wanted list |
"I am therefore, directing an extension and expansion of the deferral of removal of certain Hong Kong residents, regardless of country of birth, who are present in the United States."
However, this extension does not apply to those who voluntarily returned to Hong Kong or China, or have not continuously lived in the US since the program started in 2021, or when it was renewed again in January 2023.
Biden's declaration of the extension comes after the Hong Kong government announced last month the HK$1 million bounties for the arrests of six more activists who allegedly violated the national security law, and that the passports of seven others have been revoked, including Elmer Yuan Gong-yi, Frances Hui Wing-ting, and Joey Siu Nam, who have apparently settled in the US.
"The decision was made because of continued and repeated attacks by Beijing and Hong Kong authorities on the protected rights and freedoms cherished by people in the city," said Matthew Miller, a US Department of State spokesman.
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| Hui is an activist who allegedly violated NSL |
"These acts of transnational repression are a threat to US sovereignty and national security and show blatant disregard for democracy and human rights," he said.
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