Bicameral legislation recently introduced in the U.S. Congress would impose sanctions and enhance penalties on Chinese police institutions, and those associated with them, operating in the United States.
The Expel Illegal Chinese Police Act would impose financial sanctions, visa restrictions, and asset freezes on individuals and groups operating illegal Chinese police stations in the United States; strengthen legal ways to designate and prosecute those engaged in this activity; and strengthen penalties for those affiliated with the United Front Work Department who engage in harassment or coercion of U.S. residents and dissidents.
The bill was featured in the National Review on Tuesday.
U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) and U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-IA) introduced the bill. U.S. Rep. John Moolenaar (R-MI), Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party chairman, co-led the bill, and U.S. Reps. Robert Aderholt (R-AL), Troy Balderson (R-OH), Stephanie Bice (R-OK), Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ), Neal Dunn (R-FL) and Zach Nunn (R-IA) were original sponsors.
“No foreign government has the right to operate secret police stations on American soil. The Chinese Communist Party’s actions undermine international norms and human rights by circumventing legal extradition processes and engaging in intimidation tactics,” Cotton said. “This legislation sends a clear message: the United States will never tolerate illegal operations that violate our sovereignty and intimidate individuals living within our borders.”