Singapore Teen Blogger Amos Yee Seeks Asylum in USA, Detained by Chicago CBP

Associated Press, Dec. 24, 2016- "A teenage blogger from Singapore whose supporters say is seeking asylum is in custody after being detained last week at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, U.S. immigration officials said Saturday.  Amos Yee, 18, was detained Dec. 16 and remains in custody "pending federal immigration court proceedings," U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokeswoman Gail Montenegro said in a written statement. ... His U.S. lawyer, Sandra Grossman, told the South China Morning Post on Saturday that Yee was likely detained because he entered the country on a tourist visa despite an intention to apply for asylum.  She said Yee would have to undergo a "credible fear interview" by an asylum official who would assess if he faces a credible fear of persecution or torture back home.  She said the process usually takes a few days, but the holiday season could delay it.  He would then appear before an immigration judge, but that could take years because of backlogs in the immigration system.  Yee, who won a local filmmaking prize at age 13, ruffled feathers in Singapore with a video blog laced with expletives as the city-state was mourning Lee's death in March last year.  Such open criticism and lampooning of leaders is rarely seen in Singapore, where laws are strictly enforced.  The government of the multiethnic state says Yee crossed the red line on religion when he mocked Christians and Muslims and the law had to be enforced on him to protect racial and religious harmony."