The US House of Representatives could pass a bill offering a protected status for Hongkongers fleeing political persecution as soon as Monday (Dec 7), local time.
Congressmen will vote Monday afternoon on the Hong Kong People’s Freedom and Choice Act of 2020, which promises temporary protected status (TPS) for Hongkongers who are already in the US and fear persecution if they return to the SAR. Successful applicants could remain in the country legally and obtain work permits.
Ten countries have been designated for the TPS system, including Syria, Yemen, Honduras, among others. The bill, introduced by Democrat Tom Malinowski and Republican Adam Kinzinger, seeks to add Hong Kong to the list.
It also proposes to speed up processing of Hongkongers’ refugee and asylum applications, and treat them separately from Chinese nationals during emigration procedures.
The bill has been listed as a “suspension” by the house, meaning it is considered non-controversial and will be processed expeditiously, with its debate limited to 40 minutes before voting. Once passed, it will then move to the Senate.
Meanwhile, only eight Hongkongers seeking help from the Taiwan-Hong Kong Services and Exchanges Office have been granted work permits until last month, Taiwan newspaper China Times reported today, quoting an unnamed source.
Established on July 1, the office is tasked with handling cases concerning Hongkongers who wish to emigrate to Taiwan or seek asylum there. It has received some 1,700 enquiries by the end of November.
