You Are the First To Hear This, Before the Press

[KeJia Sista]

David Wong has been deported to Hong Kong.

While I'm happy he is finally released from prison where he spent so many years for something he didn't do; I am ANGRY that because of CLINTON'S immigration bill, that he is being deported.

Ke Jia

[KeJia Sista]

Ok..I saw its in the Chinese press World Journal news.
Ke Jia

[KeJia Sista]

We got a call, he arrived in Hong Kong and took a taxi to his moms place. She was waiting for him in the yard and had cooked him dinner. I can only imagine what that felt like after 20 years in lock up.

Sometimes we win one.

Ke Jia

[seoulbrotherno1]

I dunno Sister Kejia, with 20 years behind bars, plus the deportation, it feels like a pyrrhic victory at best.

Hopefully there'll be life and happiness waiting for him in HK.

sb1

[Infectious]

:( It's because of 9/11, isn't it?

[SamuraiJack]

Will he get any compensation at all?

[KeJia Sista]

I dunno Sister Kejia, with 20 years behind bars, plus the deportation, it feels like a pyrrhic victory at best.

Hopefully there'll be life and happiness waiting for him in HK.

sb1

I feel the same way, but David chose to be deported. Again -- due to Clinton's immigration law.. its possible to linger in the INS prison indefinately; and he feared being in jail for decades more.

I try to look for something positive in every event, so maybe he can be of some balance to those in China who see the USA as this wonderful place of freedom and success.

David has become extremely politicized while in prison, and is extremely aware of issues both in the USA and internationally. I think this is the beginning of an important part of his life.

Ke Jia

[KeJia Sista]

:( It's because of 9/11, isn't it?

Clinton created these laws against immigrants who are imprisoned well before 9/11.

Ke Jia

[KeJia Sista]

Will he get any compensation at all?

I'm not sure.

We're entering a lawsuit, but the US govt has demanding information on the fundraising of our support committee. We've raised quite a bit for the case during the 15 or so years we have been in existance; but we have used all but whatever little is left on the case. We've spent on everything from fundraising banquets to leaflets and fliers, Xmas packages for him, phone bills; a private investigators and donations to lawyers.

I dont see what the hell funds we raised for David's case have to do with the government compensating him for wrongful imprisonment and stealing his youth. He went in at 19 years old he's coming out in his early 40's. I think 20 years of wrongful imprisonment should have gotten him citizenship here. Instead he's deported, because of a law that was not even in existance when he was convicted.

The struggle continues.

Ke Jia

[blockthebox]

Thanks for letting us know about this. I googled this a few days ago and hadn't found any stories on it.

A problem I see with any potential compensation is that he's not a citizen. Even in a pre 9/11 world, the federal government has very wide latitude with regard to non-citizens (which is why they can apply laws retroactively).

[KeJia Sista]

I'm chatting with David Wong...I gave him the fighting44's URL and he's surfing the forums. Is it a good idea for him to join?

Ke Jia

[xian]

I would love it if he joined. I have always been impressed by the weight of his words. His wisdom is part of the reason I pushed for his Rex's film to be screened during MLK week at the U of I in 2003.

I have always been amazed by his ability to see his struggle in the context of our greater struggle. Given how much injustice he's faced, that's really something.