The Hong Kong People's Freedom and Choice Act of 2020 provides protection to residents of Hong Kong facing and fleeing political persecution as follows:

1. Provides Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Hong Kongers: Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is a temporary immigration status provided to nationals and residents of certain countries experiencing problems (ongoing armed conflicts, environmental disasters, or extraordinary and temporary conditions) that make it difficult or unsafe for them to return there. TPS status provides temporary refuge to Hong Kongers who are already in the US that fear persecution if they returned to remain in the US legally and obtain work permits.
   

2. Maintains Hong Kong's status as autonomous for the purposes of immigration visas for 5 years: Hong Kong will continue to be considered and treated as distinct from the People's Republic of China.
   

3. Develops a strategy with allies to coordinate international efforts to provide refuge to Hong Kong' residents fleeing persecution.
   

4. Expedites processing of refugee and asylum applications for Hong Kongers who have a well-founded fear of persecution on the basis of their political opinions, participation, or association, or have been formally charged, detained, or convicted on account of their peaceful actions, and their spouses, children, parents. The bill will protect Hong Kongers who have had a significant role in the protests, including:

   • an organizing role;

   • a first aid responder;

   • a journalist or member of the media covering or offering public commentary;

   • a provider of legal services to one or more individuals arrested for participating in such protests; or

   • a participant who during the period beginning on June 9, 2019, and ending on June 30, 2020, was arrested, charged, detained, or convicted as a result of such participation.