Bill > HR2349

This bill aims to provide refugee and asylum protections for Uyghurs and other Muslim minority groups from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) in China who have faced severe persecution. The bill designates residents of Xinjiang as Priority 2 refugees of special humanitarian concern, allowing them to more easily seek refuge in the United States. It specifically addresses individuals who have suffered or fear persecution due to their political, religious, or cultural beliefs, including those who have been detained in internment camps, subjected to forced labor, political indoctrination, torture, and other human rights violations. The legislation waives certain immigration presumptions that might otherwise make it difficult for Uyghurs to enter the U.S., expands the criteria for establishing a well-founded fear of persecution, and requires the Departments of State and Homeland Security to report regularly on refugee applications from this region. The bill also encourages U.S. allies to make similar accommodations for Uyghur refugees and includes a sunset provision that will terminate the act's provisions after 10 years. This comprehensive approach seeks to provide meaningful protection for Uyghurs and other Muslim minorities who have been systematically oppressed by the Chinese government, addressing what Congress has characterized as potential crimes against humanity.

Justice

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/2349/all-info