AFAFHKAction for Hongkongers

Humanitarian Crisis · DED Expires February 5, 2027

Save US Hongkongers

An appeal for humanitarian relief and a permanent residency pathway for Hongkongers in the United States.

1

Since the 2019 pro-democracy movement, the National Security Law has silenced Hong Kong. Over 10,000 people have been arrested or prosecuted; young people have been forced into silence, exile, or worse.

2

Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) was granted in 2021 by the US President and renewed twice. It expires on February 5, 2027 — after which Hongkongers in the US face removal back into the hands of the very authorities they fled.

3

Today, even those with lawful status live in fear. ICE enforcement has swept up people with valid documents; our community's daily life and work are shadowed by uncertainty.

4

Hongkongers have strived since 1841. Hong Kong once sheltered Vietnamese boat people and the dissidents of 1989. Today we ask the international community to return that sheltering hand.

5

Establish a pathway to permanent residency for Hongkongers in the United States who face persecution and cannot safely return to Hong Kong.

Email CongressGet Help Now
10,000+
Arrested / Prosecuted
Feb 5, 2027
DED Deadline
Urgent
Humanitarian Protection Needed

Hong Kong News

Urgent Hong Kong news and advocacy updates for the US Hongkonger community.

  • TRAVEL ADVISORY

    Updated Safety Alert for Hongkongers Under DED

    An external legal advisory has been updated regarding travel risks for Hongkongers under Deferred Enforced Departure (DED).

    Read the Full Advisory →

    Source: Bickett Law & Policy PLLC

  • Enforcement

    Community reports increased ICE checks near workplaces in three metro areas. Carry original documents and know your rights.

  • Advocacy

    AFHK letters delivered to House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on East Asia ahead of the fall session.

  • EAD

    Reminder: file Form I-765 as early as permitted. Renewal backlogs continue to lengthen.

DED & EAD Care Package

Practical, plain-language guidance for Hongkongers living under Deferred Enforced Departure.

I-765 renewal timing & automatic extension

  • File Form I-765 as early as USCIS allows — typically up to 180 days before your current EAD expires. Filing early is the single most effective thing you can do.
  • Keep the I-797C receipt notice the moment it arrives. It is your proof of timely filing.
  • Automatic extension: when a Federal Register notice provides for it, an A11 category EAD can remain valid beyond the printed date. Carry the unexpired card plus a printout of that notice.
  • For Form I-9, your employer may accept the EAD together with the Federal Register notice for the auto-extension period. Give HR the letter below.
  • Update your address with USCIS within 10 days of moving, or your new card may be mailed to the wrong place.

Employer explanation letter

To Whom It May Concern,

RE: Employment Authorization under Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for Hong Kong

I am employed / seeking employment with your organization and hold an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) issued under the Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) program for Hong Kong residents, designated by Presidential Memorandum.

My EAD bears category code A11. Under DHS guidance, certain A11 EADs are automatically extended beyond the printed expiration date when a Federal Register notice provides for such an extension. In that case, the unexpired EAD together with the applicable Federal Register notice serves as an acceptable List A receipt for Form I-9 purposes for the duration of the auto-extension period.

I remain authorized to work in the United States. I am happy to provide my original EAD, Form I-797 receipt notice, and Form I-94 for inspection.

Please contact me if your HR or compliance team requires further documentation.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Date]

AFHK is not a law firm and this is not legal advice. Always confirm your situation with a licensed immigration attorney.

Take Action: Email Congress & Federal Leadership

Two minutes and two pieces of information — speak up for humanitarian protection and permanent residency for Hongkongers in the US.

Recipients

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  • Official Contact Page ↗

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  • Official Contact Page ↗

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Helpline & Emergency Support

If you or someone you know is detained, questioned, or at risk — reach us now.

24/7 Emergency Helpline

+1 (626) 481-3294

Cantonese, Mandarin and English. Free and confidential.

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Hotline number is a placeholder — send us the real one and we will publish it.

Hong Kong Freedom & Security Law Timeline

Key events affecting Hong Kong's freedoms and security since 2019.

Frequently Asked Questions

Straight answers on DED, work authorization, enforcement, and your privacy.

No. Deferred Enforced Departure is a temporary, discretionary decision by the President not to remove a group of people from the United States for a set period. It provides protection from removal and eligibility for work authorization, but it is not lawful permanent status and it does not by itself create a path to a green card. Asylum, by contrast, is a legal status granted case by case on proof of persecution; it can lead to permanent residency after one year. Many Hongkongers hold DED while separately deciding whether to file an asylum claim — that decision has serious deadlines and consequences, so speak to an attorney first.

General information only, not legal advice. Consult a licensed immigration attorney about your case.