Governor Greg Abbott has issued an executive order aimed directly at preventing the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) attempts to coercively repatriate Chinese dissidents from Texas. In a move to safeguard the state’s residents, particularly those of Chinese descent, Abbott has mandated the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) to aggressively pursue and charge individuals involved in such CCP-led operations.
This action responds to what Abbott described as a "worldwide harassment campaign" by the CCP. "The Chinese Communist Party has engaged in a worldwide harassment campaign against Chinese dissidents in attempts to forcibly return them to China," Abbott said, according to a statement released on the Office of the Texas Governor website. He added, "Texas will not tolerate the harassment or coercion of the more than 250,000 individuals of Chinese descent who legally call Texas home by the Chinese Communist Party or its heinous proxies. Ensuring the safety, welfare, and well-being of Texans is a top priority. I directed the Texas Department of Public Safety to identify and bring criminal charges against individuals who harass Texans on behalf of this hostile foreign adversary. We will continue to do everything we can to protect Texans from the unlawful and repressive actions of the Chinese Communist Party"
The DPS is to swiftly act to correctly identify suspects and collaborate with local and federal law enforcement agencies. This partnership includes the Texas Fusion Center, to assess incidents of foreign intimidation within Texas borders. Together they will seek to develop strategies to mitigate such acts of coercion and to bolster defenses against them.
Texans can now report suspicious actions linked to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) directly to authorities. By January 15, 2025, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) will provide policy recommendations and training on how to handle these threats. The iWatch Texas Community Reporting System has been updated, offering a hotline, mobile app, and website for easy reporting. People can report anonymously through iwatchtx.org, the iWatchTexas app, or by calling 844-643-2251.
