Well, things aren’t going smoothly for Amos Yee right now, but at least he has a legitimate chance at receiving the political asylum he wants after finally getting a hearing at the United States Immigration Court.
For those who aren’t as updated or are simply no longer interested in his affairs (we don’t blame you), here’s a quick rundown of the events since last December:
Seeking political asylum in the States, whilst changing his tune on past controversial videos
The 18-year-old arrived at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport on Dec 16, but was promptly detained by authorities after they found out about his attempt to seek political asylum via text messages on his mobile phone. His excuse: he wants to flee the “persecution” he faced in Singapore after getting convicted and jailed twice for publicly expressing his controversial views on politics and religion.
He is being detained at the McHenry County Adult Correctional Facility in Woodstock, Illinois.
Perhaps it’s a bid to get the authorities to soften things up with him, but in an interview, he expressed regret at making those controversial videos. Singaporeans aren’t exactly convinced, however.
Amos Yee’s crowdfunding campaign
A GoFundMe campaign was set up by his friend Nina Paley – who apparently has an ‘woefully incomplete Wikipedia page about her” – to assist with costs incurred via travel (for his legal representation), expenses from jail (such as his phone calls), etc. As of writing, however, the most recent donation made was three days ago, and the total amount raised is just barely over the $3K mark. Still a long way to go from the intended $10K goal.
Of course, once bitten, twice shy.
Facebook rant about the whole immigration process
Yeah, we have to admit, this guy sounds intelligent in writing. He might have taken a page or two out of medieval context – or perhaps just plain flowery words – showered in #saltbae style (‘Rise my fellow friends, and may the authoritarians tremble at our strengths’) were it not for profanities lacing its core in a fit of rage. Despite attempting to stay in the United States, he goes on a rant against the country’s “awful immigration policies” and sets up a petition calling for his release from the detention centre after realising he’ll be spending a long, long time there.
President Trump’s refugee ban
To add to the brew of frustrations, just last Saturday (day one of the Lunar New Year), US President Donald Trump effected an executive order that blocks immigrants from seven Muslim countries from entering the States, including people who have legally resided in the States for years. Cue the rage and protests flooding multiple airports the next day — though a Singaporean shouldn’t be affected… right?
Not exactly. As the latest report by The Straits Times has proven, it might have an indirect effect in the case of Yee’s entrance into the US, as the Trump administration has ordered — in the words of Amos’s lawyer Sandra Grossman — “increased detention for asylum seekers, which would require a diversion of resources”. A full hearing is now scheduled for Mar 7 to finalise his fate; either he gets to start a new life there or he gets deported back to Singapore (and permanently banned from the US).
Still, Amos isn’t taking this any better as he began ranting at US’s immigration policy – surprise, surprise – and according to The Straits Times, he wants out as soon as possible.
