During Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping’s visit to the United States, Jin Xiuhong, the chairperson of the China Democracy and Human Rights Alliance, was threatened by three pro-CCP individuals in Washington D.C. when they saw her wearing an “End CCP” t-shirt. The individuals threatened to call Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to have them detained.
Xiuhong stated in an interview with Epoch Times on October 5th that she was shocked by the audacity of the threat. She has been a U.S. citizen for nearly 40 years and was concerned that the CCP and its supporters might try to pressure dissenters in the U.S. using the current immigration enforcement environment. She called on the U.S. government to remain vigilant against potential transnational repression factors.
Since U.S. immigration enforcement has become stricter, online platforms have seen comments from individuals encouraging ICE to detain and deport anti-CCP activists.
Xiuhong recounted an incident on the evening of September 23rd in Washington D.C. where she and another activist, Peng Xiaoliang from Los Angeles, were separated from a protest rally. After taking clothes out of her bag due to the cool weather, Xiuhong revealed the “Overthrow CCP One-Party Dictatorship” and “End CCP” slogans on her t-shirt.
Three tall men in their 30s nearby saw Xiuhong’s t-shirt and stood up from their seats. One of them pointed at her and aggressively said, “Why are you here? This is our territory!” They threatened to call ICE and have them detained immediately.
The men also took photos of Xiuhong. With few pedestrians around and concerned for their safety, Xiuhong, who was using a cane, and Peng Xiaoliang, who was not physically imposing, quickly left the area. The individuals followed them for a few steps, urging them not to leave.
Xiuhong reported the threatening encounter to a nearby police officer after the incident near a bus stop on E Street in Washington D.C., close to 13th and 14th Streets.
She expressed concern that this incident should alert the U.S. government as the individuals directly threatened her using the immigration enforcement agency ICE, suggesting a possible CCP effort to conduct cross-border repression.
Similar sentiments have been observed on social media platforms, with accounts linking deportations of anti-CCP individuals to arrests and detainments upon their return to China with a mocking tone.
One account, “X Brother Talks Economics,” openly ridiculed anti-CCP activists’ situations, suggesting seamless coordination between U.S. and Chinese authorities in dealing with dissenters.
Another online account warned political asylum seekers against anti-CCP activism, stating, “ICE will deport you directly; don’t think about seeking asylum to oppose the CCP.”
Activists believe that some CCP sympathizers perceive ICE enforcement as a tool to suppress overseas dissidents, posing a concerning development that necessitates the U.S. government’s attention.
Xiuhong further expressed apprehension that provocations, reporting, or fabrications of conflicts might lead immigrant anti-CCP individuals into the U.S. criminal justice or immigration enforcement system due to existing immigration status issues.
She cited a prior incident in Seattle where a woman physically assaulted her, causing Xiuhong to drop her phone, then falsely accused Xiuhong of provoking the attack.
Xiuhong feared that some might exploit a chain of events involving provocations, conflicts, police reports, and immigration enforcement to exploit the U.S. legal system against overseas dissenters.
The issue of CCP transnational repression has garnered sustained attention from the U.S. Congress in recent years.
The Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC) held hearings on CCP transnational suppression and malign influence in the U.S. in June. The commission highlighted CCP authorities and their agents’ attempts to intimidate, censor, and suppress critics in the U.S.
On September 22nd, CECC held further hearings on CCP persecution, addressing threats, surveillance, legal harassment, pressure on family members, and cyber attacks against overseas advocates.
After participating in congressional activities that afternoon, Xiuhong shared overseas dissidents’ threats and transnational repression issues with Congressman Chris Smith.
She urged ICE, law enforcement, and other U.S. enforcement agencies not only to consider one side’s account in cases involving Chinese political dissenters but also to inquire if there are underlying political motives.
Xiuhong emphasized that the U.S. should factor in the context of CCP transnational repression to assess risks and differentiate potential reports, provocations, or entrapments intended for persecution, avoiding manipulation of the U.S. enforcement system by the CCP and its sympathizers.