The ‘‘vulnerability’’ of United States visa holders was a key factor in a judge deciding not to convict a Chinese software engineer. She said Huang held a visa to work in the the US for a large software corporation. She submitted a conviction could either result in delays in processing future visas, which could jeopardise his employment, or his visa being declined. Judge Harvey said it appeared as though there were ‘‘very real risks for anybody with any conviction of any sort’’ in the US at present. ‘‘It is for the reasons given I have determined a conviction would, in this case, be unjust,’’ he said.

Source: Otago Daily Times April 09, 2026 17:34 UTC