According to sources, Guan Heng, a native of north-central China, had published a 20-minute video in 2021 drawn from footage he had filmed in China's Xinjiang region, where people were reportedly being detained. He had hoped that the film would lead to his arrest in China, prompting him to seek asylum in the United States. Guan Heng had attempted to reach the U.S. by buying a small inflatable boat and setting sail from the Bahamas in October 2021. Despite battling severe seasickness and having no prior boating experience, he successfully reached the shores of Florida 23 hours later, as he later told Human Rights in China, a U.S.-based advocacy group.

Guan Heng's decision to film the footage in Xinjiang was a bold move, given the region's sensitive nature and China's strict surveillance. "I knew I was taking a huge risk by filming in Xinjiang," Guan Heng said in an interview with Human Rights in China. "But I couldn't just stand by and watch as people were being detained and persecuted." Guan Heng's footage showed what he claimed was a detention center in the Xinjiang region, sparking widespread outrage and calls for action from human rights groups.

The U.S. immigration system has been criticized for its treatment of asylum seekers, with many facing lengthy detention periods and uncertain outcomes. Guan Heng's case has highlighted the complexities of the U.S. asylum process, particularly for those fleeing persecution in China. "Guan Heng's case is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by asylum seekers in the United States," said Sophie Richardson, China director at Human Rights Watch. "We urge the U.S. government to provide a safe and fair process for those seeking protection."

Guan Heng's deportation risk has sparked concerns among human rights groups, who argue that he would face severe persecution if returned to China. "If Guan Heng is deported, he will be putting himself at risk of serious harm," said Sharon Hom, executive director of Human Rights in China. "We urge the U.S. government to grant him asylum and protect him from persecution."

As Guan Heng's deportation risk continues to unfold, his case serves as a stark reminder of the complexities of the U.S. asylum process and the risks faced by those fleeing persecution in China.