West OC Times

In a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Representative Michelle Steel urged the Biden Administration to intervene in the case of Vietnamese refugee Y Quynh Bdap. Bdap is facing extradition from Thailand back to Vietnam, following a Thai judge's ruling that the extradition should proceed.

Steel's letter emphasized the danger awaiting Bdap, a religious minority and recognized UN refugee, if he returns to Vietnam. Bdap fled his home country six years ago due to fears of persecution related to his advocacy for religious freedom.

She criticized the Biden Administration for its lack of attention to Bdap’s case and broader human rights abuses by the Communist Party of Vietnam.

“The United States must show leadership and be a beacon of freedom as countries around the world oppress those seeking to practice their faith,” said Steel. "I urge your immediate attention to this matter and compel the United States to start an expeditious review of Bdap’s refugee application to the United States.”

The Royal Thai government has up to 90 days to carry out the extradition.

“Moving forward, it is imperative that the State Department take a proactive step in preventing Bdap’s extradition, expeditiously reviewing his refugee application to the United States, and immediately working with our allies to enable for his resettlement to a third country,” Steel wrote.

Rep. Steel represents parts of Orange County and Los Angeles County, including Little Saigon, which has the largest population of Vietnamese outside Vietnam.

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