Convicted Jan. 6 rioter hiding out in Canada unlikely to be granted asylum, immigration experts say

Immigration experts say it is unlikely that an American man seeking asylum in Canada after being convicted for his role in the 2021 U.S. Capitol riot will be successful – if it even comes to that.Antony Vo, a 32-year-old from Indiana, was sentenced to nine months behind bars after being found guilty of entering and engaging in disruptive conduct on restricted building grounds, in addition to violent entry or disorderly conduct and demonstrating in a Capitol building, according to public documents from the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.He was ordered to report to a federal prison on June 14, 2024, but instead fled to Canada. His refugee claim form, which was posted to his X account, said Mr. Vo fears he would be inhumanely imprisoned because of his political views if he remained in the United States. He expects that president-elect Donald Trump will pardon him and others convicted in the Capitol riot after his Jan. 20 inauguration, but Mr. Vo wants guaranteed safety within Canada’s borders until he feels safe to go home.