Singapore has rejected a US citizen’s appeal to stay in the city-state following the cancellation of his permanent residence status after the government branded him as an agent of foreign influence. Earlier this month, Singapore’s Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) revoked the permanent residence of Huang Jing, then a professor at Singapore’s prominent Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, and of his wife, Shirley Yang Xiuping, also a US citizen. Both had appealed the decision.

The minister for home affairs has rejected their appeals and they were informed of the rejection Aug. 23, the MHA said in a statement on Wednesday, adding that the decision was final. “Huang Jing and his wife will have to leave Singapore within a stipulated grace period. They will be permanently banned from re-entering Singapore,” the statement said.

The ministry’s decision to revoke Huang’s permanent residency this month was based on his alleged interactions with a foreign country with the aim of bringing about a change in the direction of Singapore’s foreign policy. It also said Huang’s wife was aware of his activities. The ministry did not identify the foreign country with which Huang was said to be interacting. Huang did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

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