The Department of State announced Friday that it imposed visa restrictions on Thai officials involved in the forced return of

The U.S. State Department has announced sanctions on an unknown number of current and former Thai officials for their role in deporting at least 40 Uyghur men to China despite worries that they could be jailed or even face death there.

Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, the leader of the People’s Party and the leader of the opposition in the Thai House of Representatives, spoke about the U.S. government’s recent decision to impose visa restrictions on Thai officials involved in the deportation of 40 Uyghur people to China,

The U.S. Embassy in Thailand this week advised U.S. citizens to “exercise increased caution and vigilance” following Thailand’s recent deportation of asylum-seekers to China.

In the early hours of February 27, 2025, heavily secured transport vehicles transferred at least 40 detained Uyghurs from the Suan Phlu immigration detention

Foreign officials who enable the forced return of Uyghurs and other ethnic or religious groups to China face visa restrictions in the United States, Sec. of State Marco Rubio announced Friday.

The State Department said it was “combating China’s efforts to pressure governments to forcibly return Uyghurs and other groups to China.”