Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region who are being persecuted by the Chinese government would be considered priority refugees in America under a bipartisan bill introduced on June 7 by U.S. Rep. María Salazar (R-FL).
“The Uyghur Genocide perpetrated by the Chinese Communist Party is one of the most horrific crimes against humanity we have ever witnessed,” Rep. Salazar said. “Our refugee system was designed to provide protection to those who need it most. We must ensure this system is ready to receive those that are able to escape the systematic persecution and torture Uyghurs and other oppressed minorities are suffering from in Xinjiang.”
The congresswoman signed on as the lead original cosponsor of the Uyghur Human Rights Protection Act, H.R. 3934, which is sponsored by U.S. Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D-VA) and would expedite the ability of the Uyghurs to apply for asylum in the United States.
Specifically, H.R. 3934 would provide Uyghurs with Priority 2 designation, which is used for those refugees of special humanitarian concern to the U.S. who have a pressing need for resettlement and swift access to the U.S. asylum process, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Salazar’s staff.
H.R. 3934 also would direct the U.S. Secretary of State to prioritize diplomatic efforts in those countries that often face pressure from the Chinese government to extradite Uyghurs back to China, the summary says.
“I’ve heard firsthand from Uyghur constituents about their fears for their relatives trying to escape the horrors in Xinjiang,” said Rep. Wexton. “I’m proud to lead this bipartisan effort to give those suffering this oppression hope for a path to expedited refugee status and asylum.”
The Campaign for Uyghurs has endorsed the legislation.