Mayor Daniel Lurie, the entire Board of Supervisors, and San Francisco’s state representatives have called for the release of Ho Yin Mo, a field representative for Assemblywoman Catherine Stefani, after he was detained on Sept. 17 at Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport.
All 11 city supervisors have signed a letter demanding his release. Mo “has been an especially important point of contact for San Francisco’s Chinese American communities, including residents who face language or cultural barriers when interacting with the government,” it read.
Mayor Lurie also sent a statement to the Las Vegas Immigration Court in support of Mo’s release from detention.
“I respectfully ask the Court to consider Ho Yin’s longstanding ties to the Bay Area, his employment with the California State Assembly, his service to San Francisco and the many people who rely on him when considering his request for release,” Lurie said. “I hope he will be given the opportunity to return to his home, his work, and his community.”
Sen. Scott Wiener and Assemblymember Matt Haney echoed those calls.
The Department of Homeland Security said in a statement that Mo had overstayed his visa. Sources familiar with the Hong Kong community said it is likely he is covered by Deferred Enforced Departure, which is not an immigration status, but a Biden-era presidential directive that allows eligible Hong Kong residents to work in America and protects them from deportation through Feb. 5, 2027.
The department did not immediately answer a question about that directive.
Originally from Hong Kong, Mo, 28, graduated from the University of California, Berkeley and then became a primetime anchor for the 7 p.m. newscast for Chinese-language TV station KTSF.
He joined former Mayor London Breed’s campaign for reelection in 2024 as an Asian American and Pacific Islander field organizer.
Mo is “somewhat of a celebrity with Chinese seniors,” said Mo’s co-worker and Breed campaign spokesperson Joe Arellano in 2024. “As soon as a lot of the Chinese seniors see his face, they immediately recognize him and flock to him,” Arellano added.
After the campaign season, Mo became a field representative at Stefani’s district office despite being courted by multiple politicians.
Mo is proficient in Cantonese, Mandarin and English, and has been acting as a liaison between Stefani and her constituents. Mo’s coworkers praised his ability to understand the issues the Chinese community is facing, and his concern for the well-being of the most vulnerable members in the community, especially its seniors.
“I am respectfully calling for Ho Yin Mo’s release as soon as possible,” Stefani wrote in a statement, emphasizing that Mo is a “legal employee of the California State Legislature.”
“When Mo and I meet our Chinese-American constituents, he brings a unique sense of belonging to so many who watched him as a TV reporter. And his work goes far beyond presence. Mo helps people access affordable health care coverage, childcare, and food support.”
“Our whole community eagerly awaits Mo’s return to his home and his job where he is loved and adored.”
This is a breaking story and will be updated when additional information becomes available.
Pleading for special treatment for one alleged visa overstayer while remaining silent regarding the other people in ICE custody who have also contributed to society is not a good look for these elected officials.