A Mother's Ordeal

Disturbed by a series of harrowing "birth-control" experiences, Chi An applied for a visa to join her husband, who was studying at a university in the U.S. Not long after she arrived in America, the tables were turned: Chi An found herself pregnant. Since Chi An and her family planned to return to China, she was forced to seek permission from Chinese officials to have a second child. The Chinese authorities responded with a resounding no, insisting that Chi An "fix this problem as soon as possible." After much anguished debate, Chi An and her husband decided to cut their ties to their homeland and applied to the U.S. government for asylum. America was not responsive and, instead, initiated deportation procedures. China expert Steven Mosher stepped in, helping Chi An win her case and ultimately effecting a policy change that protects families in similar situations.