Jose Luis Correa: “I thank Congresswoman Walters for bringing this most important issue to the attention of the American public. Mr.…”

“I thank Congresswoman Walters for bringing this most important issue to the attention of the American public. Mr. Speaker, I rise today as well to address the issue of Mr. Michael Phuong Nguyen, an American citizen and a resident of Orange County, who is currently being detained by the Vietnamese government. As Representative Royce just said, we seem to be enjoying a stronger, closer relationship with Vietnam on trade and security. Then we have this contradiction, a contradiction that an American citizen is being detained. On July 7, Michael Phuong Nguyen was touring Vietnam, visiting relatives, and he was arrested. It has been almost 2 months. The charge is penal code 109, which is activity against the People's government, yet there are no facts that have been presented, no evidence. He is being held. He has been arrested with no evidence being presented. {time} 2045 His wife and his family, they are also personal friends of mine. I know this family. They are strong members of our community. That is why I don't understand how Michael could have been arrested in Vietnam. I ask the Government of Vietnam to please release Michael. Please release him back to his family and to his country, the United States of America.”