China slams US offer of safe havens for Hong Kong residents
“Given the politically motivated arrests and trials, the silencing of the media, and the diminishing space for elections and democratic opposition, we will continue to take steps in support of people in Hong Kong,†White House press secretary Jen Psaki said.
China imposed the national security law on Hong Kong in response to months of pro-democracy street protests in 2019.
Police have arrested at least 100 opposition politicians, activists and demonstrators, imposed severe limits on political speech, reorganised the local legislature to ensure an overwhelming pro-Beijing majority and demanded that anyone holding public office prove their loyalty to China.
Pro-democracy activists in exile pleaded with Congress last month to pass legislation to provide both temporary refuge and permanent refugee status in the US, after Hong Kong police confirmed they had a list of more than 50 people who would be arrested if they attempted to leave.
There are several thousand people from Hong Kong in the United States who would be eligible to remain and avoid being deported under what is formally known as deferred enforced departure, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
Psaki didn’t rule out extending refuge beyond 18 months depending on developments in Hong Kong.
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