By Khedroob Thondup

For decades, Beijing has tried to erase Tibet from the global stage. Xi Jinping’s government has passed laws designed to suffocate Tibetan culture, restrict religious practice, and criminalise dissent. Yet despite these efforts, the Tibetan issue has not disappeared. In fact, it has grown stronger, more visible, and more globally supported — thanks in large part to the Tibetan diaspora in the U.S.

Diaspora as a Political Force. The Tibetan community in America is small compared to other immigrant groups, but its impact is outsized. From Washington, D.C. to New York, Tibetan-Americans have organised rallies, testified before Congress, and built alliances with human rights organisations. Their activism has ensured that Tibet remains on the agenda of U.S. lawmakers, even when Beijing pressures governments to stay silent. The passage of the Tibetan Policy and Support Act in 2020 was a landmark mo...