Congresswoman Katie Porter (CA-45) will hold a video press conference regarding the release of Michael Nguyen, an American citizen and Orange County resident who had been imprisoned in Vietnam since July 2018. Michael and his family will be in attendance as well as other Members of Congress.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28th

TIME: 9:30 AM PT

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“I am relieved that Michael has been reunited with his wife, Helen, and their four daughters,” Congresswoman Porter said. “Michael and the whole Nguyen family have shown incredible strength and perseverance. His arrival home on Thursday was a long-awaited reunion for an Orange County dad and his family.”

“After two years of fighting for Michael, I am humbled to now welcome him home,” continued Congresswoman Porter. Michael’s release marks a victory for human rights and a positive step in the U.S.-Vietnam diplomatic relationship. “We are extremely grateful for the many Members of Congress, the State Department, Embassy & Consulate staff who worked tirelessly over the past 27 months on behalf of Michael, to reunite him with his family,” the family of Michael Nguyen said.

Michael traveled to Vietnam to visit older relatives in June 2018. He was arrested on July 7 and subsequently held at the Phan Dang Luu Detention Center in Ho Chi Minh City. He was detained for eight months prior to the announcement of formal charges. His eventual trial lasted four hours and resulted in a 12 year prison sentence, during which he was not allowed direct contact with his wife or daughters. 

Throughout her time as the Representative for California’s 45th District, Congresswoman Porter has consistently advocated for Michael’s safe and immediate release. She invited Michael’s wife to be her guest to the State of the Union in 2019 to raise awareness about Michael’s imprisonment. Ahead of President Trump’s summit with Kim Jong Un in Hanoi last year, Congresswoman Porter led a bipartisan letter urging the President to take additional action to secure Michael’s release. In November of 2019, she attended a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing to press the State Department directly about Michael’s case. She also wrote an op-ed in the Orange County Registrar about the urgent need to bring Michael home. Earlier this year, she co-hosted U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Dan Kritenbrink at a community town hall with other members of the Orange County congressional delegation.

“For far too long, bipartisan Members of the House and Senate, including myself, called for Michael Nguyen’s release,” said Congressman Brad Sherman (CA-30). “I hosted meetings with the Vietnamese Ambassador and Vietnamese Embassy officials, sent letters to the Administration, met with Administration officials, and welcomed Helen Nguyen to testify in front of the Asia Subcommittee to advocate on behalf of Michael. I was glad to support Congresswoman Porter in her tireless efforts, and applaud her work to secure Mr. Nguyen’s release. Mr. Nguyen’s release would not have been possible without Congresswoman Porter’s advocacy. This is indeed an incredible victory for human rights, and an important step in the advancement of the U.S.-Vietnam relationship.”

“I am elated to hear that Michael Nguyen, an American citizen wrongly detained, convicted, and imprisoned in Vietnam, has been released by the Vietnamese Government and has returned to the United States, to his family, and to his community,” said Congressman Alan Lowenthal (CA-47). I want to thank Rep. Katie Porter and her office for the tremendous work they have dedicated to Michael’s case, just as I am proud of the help my office has been able to offer to bring Michael home after more than two long years. Michael Nguyen should never have been arrested in the first place and I will continue to advocate for human rights and prisoners of conscience in Vietnam.”

“I am overjoyed to hear that Michael Nguyen has been released by the Vietnamese government and can finally be reunited with his loving wife, Helen, and his daughters,” said Congressman Lou Correa (CA-46). “Michael, a law-abiding American citizen with no criminal record in the United States, was arrested and unjustly imprisoned in 2018. Our hearts broke after hearing the disappointing results of Michael’s trial, knowing that he would be separated from his family for a significant amount of time. Despite the upsetting news, we did not give up and continued to work for his release. I want to thank my colleagues, the State Department, and Ambassador Kritenbrink, for fighting for Michael’s release. We never gave up the hope for Michael, and we will not give up until all of Vietnam is free.”

“Once again, the arc of the moral universe has been bent toward justice. Michael Nguyen has been released, and it has come to fruition because of the unwavering commitment of his family as well as the persistence and insistence of Rep. Porter and many other Members of Congress,” said Congressman Al Green (TX-9). “Rep. Porter made a difference with her leadership and constant focus on Mr. Nguyen’s release. I pray that no other family will have to suffer this circumstance; however, if it should occur, we must always be prepared to bring American citizens home by bending the arc of the moral universe toward justice.”

“I am delighted to hear that Michael Nguyen has arrived home in the United States and been reunited with his family,” said Congressman Harley Rouda (CA-48). “This result was made possible by the tireless advocacy of Michael’s wife, Helen, and the hard work of the State Department, particularly Ambassador Kritenbrink and his staff. I am proud to have joined Michael’s representative in Congress, Congresswoman Katie Porter, and other members of Congress in pushing for Michael’s release since I was sworn into office last year. Michael’s case is yet another reminder of the continued need to promote human rights and democratic values within Vietnam. I will continue to work to ensure internationally recognized human rights are protected within Vietnam for all people.”

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