Calling on Vietnam to Release Michael Nguyen

Floor Speech

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Mr. SHERMAN. Madam Speaker, I want to join my colleagues, especially Katie Porter who has shown exceptional leadership on this important issue, in calling on Vietnam to release Michael Nguyen and allow him to return home to his family.

Born in Vietnam, Michael left the country in 1975 and is a U.S. citizen who lives in my home state of California. Michael has lived in the United States for decades and has no criminal record. In fact, he has been an exemplary citizen. Besides being a business owner and committed family man, Michael is active in his church and his community.

In July 2018, Michael traveled to Vietnam to visit elderly family members. He had regularly gone on trips to Vietnam. This time, however, Michael was detained and imprisoned by the Vietnamese police. It was over a week before Vietnam even acknowledged Michael had been detained. Then, for nearly a year, his family, the American consulate, and concerned members of Congress were given no information about his alleged wrongdoings. Instead, despite repeated inquiries into the nature of his alleged crimes, the Vietnamese authorities kept stating that he was under investigation. It is a red flag that Michael was imprisoned for months and months without being formally charged with a crime. Making matters worse, he was not allowed to speak or see his family members, nor was he given access to an attorney.

Only recently was Michael officially indicted on the vague charge of carrying out activities against the Vietnamese government. Although Michael's trial is expected to begin later this month, his alleged transgressions are apparently still a state secret in Vietnam.

As Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, I hope to strengthen the U.S.-Vietnamese relationship. Our two countries have many common interests. Despite the scars of history, we have a burgeoning friendship. Many U.S. companies have large operations in Vietnam--including Nike, Adidas, Under Armour, Levi's, and Converse-- helping to propel Vietnam's extraordinary economic growth.

Michael's unjust imprisonment jeopardizes this progress. To avoid that outcome, the Vietnamese government should immediately release Michael and allow him to return home to his family in California. That would be a win-win outcome for the United States and Vietnam. Most importantly, it would bring an end to the unimaginable tragedy Michael's loving wife and children have had to endure over the last year.

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