Biden signs executive order allowing Hong Kong immigrants to stay in the US to avoid political crackdown from China

Joe Biden is offering the US as a safe haven to Hong Kong residents already within the country amid the Chinese government's effort to crush the pro-democracy movement, and had strong criticisms for the world's second largest economy.

The president on Thursday signed an executive order allowing people from Hong Kong currently residing in the US to live and work in the country for another 18 months.

Several thousand people from Hong Kong in the US would be eligible to remain and avoid being deported, according to Homeland Security. 

The move will likely to further inflame the already tense relations between the US and China. 

The move will likely inflame already shaky relations between the United States and China

Biden's decision to extend shelter comes in response to Hong Kong's sweeping new national security law and other measures that undercut the rights promised when the former British colony was handed back to China in 1997.

'Recognizing the significant erosion of those rights and freedoms in Hong Kong by the People's Republic of China , I am directing the deferral of removal of certain Hong Kong residents who are present in the United States,' Biden said in his memorandum.

Hong Kong residents who voluntarily return to the city, reside outside the US, are subject to extradition or are determined to be a 'danger to public safety' are among those excluded.

Police officers stand guard outside a court on July 30 , in Hong Kong, as a pro-democracy demonstrator Tong Ying-kit exits the court after his sentencing for the violation of a security law during a 2020 protest

Hong Kong singer and pro-democracy activist Anthony Wong arrives at a court on August 5. Wong, who was charged with corrupt conduct for allegedly providing entertainment to voters to sway their votes in a by-election, had the charges dropped that day

Biden accused the Chinese-controlled Hong Kong police of carrying out 'a campaign of politically motivated arrests' including the detention of at least 100 politicians, activists and protesters in relation to the new national security law. 

He also added that offering a safe haven for Hong Kong residents 'who have been deprived of their freedoms' would 'further United States interests in the region.'

The move comes as China and the United States are at odds over foreign policy and trade.

'Given the politically motivated arrests and trials, the silencing of the media, and the diminishing the space for elections and democratic opposition, we will continue to take steps in support of people in Hong Kong,' White House press secretary Jen Psaki said in a briefing Thursday. 

Psaki didn't rule out extending refuge beyond 18 months when asked about the possibility. 

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki didn't rule out extending the order beyond the 18 month period at a Thursday briefing

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the executive order was a 'clear message' of United States solidarity with the people of Hong Kong

'Obviously, our hope and our objective and our work on the international forum is to change the behavior that is happening and the oppression that we´re seeing of the people in Hong Kong,' she told reporters. 

The Chinese government has sought to stifle opposition following protests in Hong Kong in 2019 against a proposed law allowing extraditions to mainland China.

Just days ago Hong Kong police arrested a man accused of booing the Chinese national anthem while watching the Olympics at a mall in the city.

The 40-year-old man was allegedly waving colonial-era Hong Kong flags and booing, while urging others to join him in insulting the national anthem, according to a police statement posted on Facebook. 

Changes have also been made to Hong Kong´s election laws to reduce the number of directly elected lawmakers and give a largely pro-Beijing committee the leeway to nominate lawmakers aligned with the mainland government.

'Despite widespread demonstrations, which brought millions together to call for greater freedom, Hong Kong´s promise of democracy has dimmed,' Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.

In his executive order memorandum Biden said at least 100 opposition politicians, activists and protesters have been arrested under the national security law (pictured: Supporters illuminate mobile phone torches outside the headquarters of the Apple Daily newspaper and its publisher Next Digital Ltd. in Hong Kong on June 24)

He accused China and Hong Kong authorities of arresting 10,000 people.

'Today we send a clear message that the United States resolutely stands with people in Hong Kong,' Blinken wrote. 

China dismissed the criticism and claims it is merely restoring order to the city and instituting national security protections found in other countries. It has denounced US sanctions on Hong Kong officials as interference in its domestic affairs.   

Under US law, the president can grant deferred enforced departure as part of constitutional power to conduct foreign relations. 

Donald Trump granted it for Venezuelans just before he left office.

Members of Congress have called for granting temporary protected status to people from Hong Kong for months, prompting criticism from immigration opponents that it would allow people to stay who aren´t opponents of the Chinese government.