The entire San Francisco Board of Supervisors has signed a letter demanding the release of Ho Yin Mo, a field representative for Assemblywoman Catherine Stefani after he was detained on Sept. 17 at Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport.
Mo “has been an especially important point of contact for San Francisco’s Chinese American communities, including residents who face language or cultural barriers when interacting with the government,” the letter read.
Originally from Hong Kong, Mo, 28, became a 7 p.m. prime time anchor for Chinese-language TV station KTSF after graduating from the University of California, Berkeley.
He joined former Mayor London Breed’s campaign for reelection in 2024 as an Asian American and Pacific Islander field organizer. Mo is “somewhat of a celebrity with Chinese seniors,” said Mo’s co-worker and Breed campaign spokesperson Joe Arellano in 2024. “As soon as a lot of the Chinese seniors see his face, they immediately recognize him and flock to him,” Arellano added.
After the campaign season, Mo became a field representative at Stefani’s district office despite being courted by multiple politicians.
Mo is proficient in Cantonese, Mandarin and English, and has been acting as a liaison between Stefani and her constituents. Mo’s coworkers praised his ability to understand the issues the Chinese community is facing, and his concern for the well-being of the most vulnerable members in the community, especially its seniors.
“I am respectfully calling for Ho Yin Mo’s release as soon as possible,” said Stefani in a statement. “Mo is a selfless public servant and a valued, legal employee of the California State Legislature serving our San Francisco and Bay Area communities. When Mo and I meet our Chinese-American constituents, he brings a unique sense of belonging to so many who watched him as a TV reporter. And his work goes far beyond presence. Mo helps people access affordable health care coverage, child care, and food support. Our whole community eagerly awaits Mo’s return to his home and his job where he is loved and adored.”
This is a breaking story and will be updated when additional information becomes available.