Asylum Bill: Hong Kong Evacuation Plan To US In The Works? Taiwan Offers Helping Hand As Well

The U.S. is considering ways by which it can offer refuge to the people of Hong Kong amid China’s latest crackdown to impose national security legislation in the former British colony.

The Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement on Monday, June 1, that the U.S. is considering the option to welcome people of Hong Kong. However, when asked about the immigration visas and quotas, he decided not to comment further and said that the administration is taking a look at it.

The Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell also emphasized that the U.S. should consider the response of other countries to open their doors to people from other territories, who intend to seek refuge. He also hoped that the Trump administration soon identified ways to put the cost on Beijing for curbing the freedom of people in Hong Kong.

Last week, Britain offered support to about three million Hong Kong nationals by offering extended visa rights and a way to get British citizenship.

During the Senate address, McConnell said that since the U.S. has “a rich heritage of standing as a beacon of light” for war refugees and victims of communism, the country to apply the same ethics for the people of Hong Kong.

Meanwhile, U.S. Senator Ben Sasse announced that he will be introducing legislation when the Senate reconvenes to automatically grant Hong Kong citizens asylum in the U.S.

He also said that the U.S. stands in solidarity with the U.S. and that the victims of communism will always find refuge in the country.

Meanwhile, Taiwan has offered “proactive rescue and possibly residency” to the residents of Hong Kong. The announcement came just before the Chinese parliament’s approval of the national security law on Thursday, May 28.

The publications in Taiwan have cited foreign and interior ministers saying that the island country has the capacity to offer refuge to about 100,000 Hongkongers. Since they will be coming in batches of people, the government will be able to offer them refuge across different major cities.