The Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng made a direct appeal to U.S. lawmakers on Thursday in his bid for entry into the United States. Speaking through an interpreter, Chen told a congressional hearing he fears for his safety and wants to flee China.

Chen Guangcheng: “I’m really afraid [for] my other family members’ lives, and they have installed seven video cameras and even with an electric fence. And now, I mean, he wanted — he said, those security officers in my house, and basically said we want to see what else Chen Guancheng can do.”

Chen escaped house arrest and took refuge at the U.S. embassy last week. He was freed under a deal with the Chinese government but now says he wants to come to the United States aboard the return flight of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who’s currently in China for talks. In a move that could signal the end of the standoff, the Chinese government issued a statement today saying Chen is free to apply for permission to study abroad.