While the DC foreign policy establishment is happy to highlight Uyghur Muslims' persecution and oppression when beating the drum for a “Cold War” with China, they’re less willing to actually lend a helping hand. 

When policymakers talk about fighting a “new Cold War,” we know what they really mean: Prioritize a violence-first foreign policy at the expense of people and human rights. That was on full display when Congress used China’s oppression and persecution of the Uyghurs just to reinforce the existing “U.S.-good, China-bad” Cold War mentality at a hearing last week. 

Meanwhile, Uyghur Muslims fleeing persecution, like so many thousands of others, remain stuck in limbo. Across 2020 and 2021, the United States admitted ZERO Uyghur refugees. By the end of fiscal year 2022, the number rose to a paltry three, despite HUNDREDS waiting in line. Elsewhere, many governments frequently deport Uyghurs fleeing persecution back to China, where they suffer unthinkable fates.

Tell President Biden: Taking human rights seriously means protecting Uyghur asylum seekers and ensuring Uyghurs who have fled are not forced back to China.