WASHINGTON (AP) — The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has ceased its deportation plans for Guan Heng, a Chinese activist who entered the U.S. illegally, following public concern for his safety if returned to China. Rights advocates argued that Guan could face severe punishment from Beijing for his role in documenting human rights violations in Xinjiang.

Rayhan Asat, a lawyer involved in the case, disclosed that Guan's legal representative received notification from DHS indicating the cancellation of the deportation request to Uganda. Asat expressed optimism that Guan's asylum case would continue positively from this point forward.

Zhou Fengsuo, director of Human Rights in China, echoed Asat's sentiments and expressed relief at the decision. We’re really happy, Zhou stated.

The DHS has not yet commented on this matter, although Guan, 38, is currently listed as a detainee in the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) database.

Guan's legal team is now committed to securing his release from an ICE detention facility in New York. In 2020, he clandestinely filmed detention centers in Xinjiang, where it is reported that up to one million individuals, predominantly Uyghurs, have been confined. The Chinese government has consistently rejected these allegations, framing its operations in Xinjiang as vocational training initiatives aimed at combating extremism.

After fleeing from China to Ecuador in 2021, Guan traveled to the Bahamas, where he acquired a small inflatable boat. He ultimately reached Florida, where he shared his documentation on platforms like YouTube, shedding light on the ongoing rights abuses in Xinjiang.

Despite his proactive stance in advocating for human rights, Guan faced serious risks when his identity was disclosed, prompting authorities in China to summon his family. Following his quest for asylum in the U.S., public support for him surged, leading to calls from lawmakers to ensure his safety and asylum status.

Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi of Illinois emphasized the U.S. moral obligation to protect individuals like Guan, who at great personal risk, expose human rights violations. He has urged the DHS to approve Guan’s asylum request, ensuring his continued safety in the U.S.