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A Chinese national who secretly filmed human rights abuses in Xinjiang has won asylum in the United States. A judge ruled he faced real danger if sent back to China.
Guan Heng’s Journey
Guan Heng, 38, arrived in the U.S. illegally in 2021 and applied for asylum. He had been in detention since August 2021 during a mass immigration enforcement operation. DHS initially planned to deport him to Uganda but dropped the plan after public attention and congressional concern.
Secret Footage Revealing Xinjiang Abuses
In 2020, Guan filmed detention centers in Xinjiang. The footage exposed widespread rights violations against Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities. Human rights groups estimate that as many as one million people are detained in the region.
During a New York hearing, Guan said he did not film the facilities to gain asylum. Through a translator, he said, “I sympathized with the Uyghurs who were persecuted.”
Escaping China to Share Evidence
Guan knew he had to leave China to publish the videos. He first went to Hong Kong, then Ecuador, and the Bahamas. In October 2021, he crossed by boat to Florida. Most of the footage was posted on YouTube. Afterward, Chinese authorities questioned his father several times.
Legal Decision and U.S. Asylum
Judge Charles Ouslander ruled Guan credible and eligible for asylum. The judge noted that China had investigated his family and monitored his past activities, confirming Guan’s fear of retaliation.
Although DHS can appeal within 30 days, Guan remains in custody. His case is a rare asylum win, as the U.S. asylum approval rate fell to 10% in 2025, down from 28% between 2010 and 2024.
Context: China and Xinjiang
China denies rights abuses in Xinjiang. It claims vocational programs provide job skills while preventing extremism. Critics say the government suppresses dissent through surveillance and coercion.
